Media Topic 3 - Media Representations: Age, Class, Ethnicity Flashcards
How are different age groups represented in the media?
Different age groups tend to be represented in different ways, with older people under-represented and youth over-represented.
What are common stereotypes of children in media?
- Kids as victims
- Cute kids
- Little devils
- Kids are brilliant
- Kids as accessories
- Kids these days?
- Little angels
What negative stereotypes are often associated with youth (ages 15-20s) in the media?
Youth are portrayed as rebellious, selfish, troublemakers, and linked to crime, gang culture, and anti-social behavior.
What percentage of stories about young people were found to be negative according to a 2005 analysis?
57 percent of stories about young people were negative.
True or False: Older people are often portrayed positively in the media.
False
What did Cuddy and Fiske (2004) find about the portrayal of elderly characters on TV?
Only 1.5 percent of characters were portrayed as elderly, mostly in minor roles.
What stereotype is often applied to older women in media?
Older women are often rendered invisible, symbolically annihilated.
What is the impact of media representations on older people according to White et al. (2012)?
Older viewers believe they are stereotyped and see a lack of representation of middle-aged and older women.
What do campaigns for better representation of older people aim to achieve?
They aim to avoid discrimination and improve the portrayal of older generations.
How is social class generally represented in the media?
Class is often represented as a lifestyle choice rather than an economic category.
What do Jones (2011) and Lawler suggest about media representation of the middle class?
The media implies that everyone should aspire to middle-class values and lifestyles.
What is the portrayal of working-class people in media according to Butsch (2003)?
Working-class people are often portrayed as buffoons—immature, irresponsible, and incompetent.
What stereotype is associated with the working class in relation to crime?
The working class is often depicted as troubled and linked to crime and welfare dependency.
What does the term ‘chav’ signify in media representations of the working class?
‘Chav’ is a derogatory term used to describe working-class individuals as worthless and vulgar.
What are the main representations of the upper class in the media?
Upper class is portrayed as cultured, refined, and superior, often through monarchy coverage and luxury lifestyles.
What do pluralists argue about the representation of the upper class in media?
Pluralists argue that it reflects audience demand.
How are ethnic minorities represented in the media according to neo-Marxists?
Representations of ethnic minorities are filtered through a predominantly white, middle-class media establishment.
What did Cumberbatch et al. (2014) find regarding ethnic minorities in TV roles?
Ethnic minorities filled just over one in seven roles, with Black African Caribbeans over-represented and South Asians under-represented.
What types of roles are ethnic minorities less likely to hold in media?
They are less likely to hold lead roles in fiction and serious subjects like politics.
Fill in the blank: The media often focuses on problems faced by minority ethnic groups, such as _______.
crime, drugs, educational under-achievement, gangs.
How are ethnic minorities represented in entertainment shows?
Ethnic minorities were mostly in entertainment shows, had few lead roles in fiction, and were rarely presenters
This reflects a lack of significant representation in major roles.
What types of programs were African Caribbeans more likely to appear in according to Malik (2002)?
Programs dealing with social issues, music, sport, light entertainment, and comedy
They were less likely to be found in serious roles like political commentators.
According to Beattie et al. (1999), how often do black and Asian people appear as hosts and presenters?
More likely to appear in supporting roles and as temporary guests than as hosts
Their representation is often in children’s TV rather than prime-time.
What concerns did ethnic minorities express about their media portrayal according to Hargrave (2002)?
Concerns included stereotyping, negative depictions, lack of representation, and tokenism
They felt their cultural differences were ignored.
What does ‘symbolic annihilation’ refer to in the context of media representation?
The absence or underrepresentation of minority groups, particularly smaller ones like the Chinese, Greeks, or Poles
This reflects how media shapes perceptions and profits.
What stereotype do sociologists find often depicts ethnic minorities?
Depicted as deviants and law-breakers
This includes contexts like drug-dealing and gang culture.
True or False: Black people are portrayed less frequently as criminals compared to white people.
False
Black people were found to be more than twice as likely to be portrayed as criminals.
What does Stuart Hall’s study on ‘black mugger’ illustrate about media representation?
It shows how the media exaggerated black crime and created moral panics
This was used to distract from wider economic issues.
What has media coverage of terrorist events led to regarding Muslims?
Stereotyping all Muslims as a threat to society
A 2007 report found 91% of articles about Muslims were negative.
What is ‘fashionable Islamophobia’ as described by Baroness Warsi?
The social acceptability of anti-Muslim views
This phenomenon highlights the normalization of negative perceptions.
Fill in the blank: A stigmatized identity is one that is seen as _______.
undesirable
This exclusion affects societal acceptance.
According to the Glasgow Media Group (2000), how are developing countries typically depicted in British media?
As chaotic, having diseases, famine, child soldiers, and constant conflict
This portrayal shapes negative public perceptions.
What do pluralists believe about media portrayals of ethnic minorities?
They reflect news values and reinforce a sense of superiority for majority white audiences
This perspective highlights audience identity formation.
How has representation of black and ethnic minority groups in media been improving?
More black and Asian figures in music, arts, and media, with increased recruitment of ethnic minority presenters
This includes roles in children’s TV and mainstream shows.
What percentage of non-white viewers watch EastEnders?
43%
This indicates growing acceptance of ethnic minorities in British society.
