Representations Of Social Class

Question 1

Representation

Answer 1

Way in which media constructs aspects of ‘real life’ for audiences

Question 2

Mulhern

Answer 2

Representation of nationality
(critical about media portrayals of the Irish) suggests that Irish nationals are stereotyped in 2 ways: 1. Homesick and drinking bad Guinness while listening to bad ballads in north London. 2. Too successful to be homesick while making megabucks in the City, and reporting the good wealth home via Skype.

E.g Derry Girls

Question 3

Vir, Hall and Foye

Answer 3

Representation of nationality
suggests that those living in the Highlands feel underrepresented in media portrayals and coverage. TV programmes can be biassed as they exclude smaller locations. Stereotypes include “Scottish person is always drunk and an abusive drunk”

Question 4

Graham

Answer 4

Representation of nationality

suggests that the media can sometimes force other nationals into tv programmes leading to ‘tokenism’

E.g Gavin and Stacey - its all about portraying wales as ‘thick’

Question 5

Vir, Hall and Foye 2

Answer 5

Representation of nationality
suggests that in wales, there was a perception that reality tv can be exploitative in their portrayal of the Welsh. Some positive and demonstrated bbc doing more that other broadcasters in nation.

Question 6

Van Dijk

Answer 6

Traditional/negative representations of ethnicity
used content analysis to examine symbols, language and images relating to representation of ethnicity in the media. Many groups presented in a stereotyped way, black people stereotyped in the media. They were portrayed in 5 ways: criminals, abnormal, a threat, dependent, unimportant

Question 7

Malik

Answer 7

Traditional/negative representations of ethnicity

looked at Channel 4 news and said that the majority of white British people found that broadcasters were reflecting multicultural Britain to a satisfactory level but other ethnic groups felt it was contrasted as “very poorly”. They are guilty due to tokenism and stereotypes.

Question 8

What is tokenism?

Answer 8

Practice of making a symbolic effort to be inclusive of minority groups, especially by recruiting a small number of people from underrepresented groups in order to give appearance of racial equality

Question 9

Barker

Answer 9

Traditional/negative representations of ethnicity
argues that a multicultural society welcomes a range of different groups. This results in 74.4% of uk population being white, 9.3% of uk population being Asian, 2.5% of uk population being black/african/caribbean. Also said that the soap opera East Enders was heavily criticised for stereotyping of ethnic minority groups. Producers still have a long way to go.

Question 10

How are ethnic minorities depicted in the media?

Answer 10

Asian characters = doctors, facing discrimination
Victims of criminal accusations by police

Question 11

Hall

Answer 11

Traditional/negative representations of ethnicity
traditional films portray black people in one of three ways, natives, entertainers or slaves. Wrote the ‘white Eye’ sees representation of ethnic minorities through white director presentation = untrue

Question 12

Moghissi

Answer 12

Traditional/negative representations of ethnicity
Muslims huddled together in media since 7/7 and 9/11. Moral panic surrounding Islam. Women are victims of honour killings and men are seen as terrorists.

Question 13

Malik (c)

Answer 13

Changing/positive representations of ethnictity
reality tv shows were increasingly more imclusive of ethnic minorities compared to other genres of tv. E.g love island, first dates, the traitors. Also suggested a shift in how ethnic minority groups are now depicted in alternative and new forms of media. E.g instagram, tiktok, YouTube.

Question 14

Barker 2

Answer 14

Changing/positive representation of ethnicity

stereotypical representation of minorities in east Enders is slowly changing the way ethnic minorities are presented through its story lines. There are now a range of Asian and black characters that reflects the demographic of London more fairly than it used to. They are given meaningful attention and stories.

Question 15

Hall 2

Answer 15

Changing/positive representation of ethnicity

wrote a key academic journal called ‘the whites of their eyes’ and suggests the comparison between overt racism and inferential racism

Question 16

What is the difference between inferential and overt racism

Answer 16

Inferential = allows racist statements to be made without bringing awareness to it
Overt = uses a spokesperson to make an argument

Question 17

Gill

Answer 17

Changing/positive representations of ethnicity
suggests hybrid identities are presented through Blasians and Brasians.

Question 18

Nayak

Answer 18

Changing/positive representations of ethnicity
suggests ‘white wannabes’ as additional evidence for hybrid identities. E.g Eminem

Question 19

Tunstall

Answer 19

Traditional/negative representations of femininity

media representations emphasise women’s domestic, sexual, consumer and martial activities. Media ignores the fact that the majority of British women go out to work.

Question 20

Tuchman

Answer 20

Traditional/negative representations of femininity

suggests that the narrow range of role for women led to their ‘symbolic annihilation’ in the media. Media depicts traditional ideals of feminity as mothers, housewives and sex objects. Suggests this is what consumers wanted.

Question 21

What is symbolic annihilation?

Answer 21

Where the mass media exclude certain groups that are not socially valued such as women

Question 22

Ferguson

Answer 22

Traditional/negative representations of femininity
suggests the ‘cult of feminity’ which was presented in women’s magazines. This promotes the idea that excellence is achieved though caring for others, family, marriage and appearance

Question 23

Glascock

Answer 23

Traditional/negative representations of femininity
suggests that when portrayed as aggressive in the media, men are portrayed as physically agressive whereas women are presented as verbally agressive. These differences were found behind camera.

Question 24

Katz

Answer 24

Traditional/negative representations of masculinity
young men and boys receive constant messages, both subliminal and conscious from sources such as television, video games, films etc. these reinforce hegemonic masculine ideals of violence, sexism and homophobic ways of thinking.

Question 25

Easthorpe

Answer 25

Traditional/negative representations of masculinity
media transmits the view that masculinity is based on strength, aggression, competition and violence is biologically determined. This is therefore a natural goal for boys to achieve.

Question 26

Gauntlett

Answer 26

Traditional/negative representations of masculinity
many magazines aimed at male audiences that continue to sexually objectify women and present images of traditionally masculine men. Magazines represent retributive masculinity.
E.g Andrew Tate

Question 27

What is retributive masculinity?

Answer 27

A way to reaffirm masculine authority by glorifying what is conventionally male

Question 28

Gill

Answer 28

Changing/positive representations of femininity

suggests a significant shift in advertising representations of women in recent years, presented as passive objects of the male gaze. Young women are depicted as active, independent and sexually powerful. Femininity presented in 3 ways: image of the heterosexually desired “midriff”, ‘vengeful sexy woman’, ‘hot lesbian’. Women are now presented as active, beautiful, smart, powerful sexual subjects.

Question 29

Westwood

Answer 29

Changing/positive representations of femininity

Suggested that representations of gender have changed and refers to ‘transgressive female roles’ in British television. This can now be seen as empowering women

Question 30

What does transgressive mean?

Answer 30

Refers to the idea that females are now presented in a way that means they are breaking hegemonic social and moral gender roles

Question 31

Glascock 2

Answer 31

Changing/positive representations of femininity
supports Westwood, explains that in the media, there is now a range of femininities portrayed such as ‘independent women’. E.g Rapunzel from Tangled

Question 32

Gauntlett 2002

Answer 32

Changing/positive representations of femininity
focuses on relationship between media and identity and says that the media now provides alternative gendered images and ideas which are producing a greater diversity of choice for people when constructing their gender identities. Younger audiences are more open to having female as well as male leads in films. there is a heavy importance on appearance. Although male characters are often heroes, they also ave a more sensitive, thoughtful and caring side, women have become tougher. E.g Spider-Man 3.

Question 33

Gauntlett 2008

Answer 33

Changing/positive representations of femininity

said magazines aimed at women emphasised to do their own thing and be themselves. Female pop stars such as Lady Gaga promoted financial and emotional independence. Mid 90s found a shift away from traditional gender roles across a range of media = male and female representations have become more equal E.g Friends

Question 34

Easthorpe 2

Answer 34

Changing/positive representations of masculinity
suggests men’s traditional roles within the media, 1980s saw he emergence of a new breed of glossy magazines aimed at middle class young men (e.g GQ), content suggested that men are emotionally vulnerable, treat women as equal, care more about appearance

Question 35

Nixon

Answer 35

Changing/positive representations of masculinity

Question 36

Mort

Answer 36

Changing/positive representations of masculinity
Suggests that men have the ability to care about their appearance and how they present themselves within society and to others.

Question 37

Whannel

Answer 37

Changing/positive representations of masculinity
presentation of David Beckham is contradictory. Media representations are fluid. Good looks, football skills, commitment = traditional ‘real man’. This is balanced with his metrosexuality, particularly his emotional commitment to his family + spending money, effort and time on image

Question 38

What is metrosexuality?

Answer 38

Feminised masculinity

Question 39

Nairn

Answer 39

Traditional representations of upper class
after ww2 the royal family now has close ties with media so can reinvent the perception of the royal family. (Like us by not like us). Also states that the royal family reinforces a state of national identity

Question 40

Leech

Answer 40

Traditional representations of middle class
suggests that the middle class lifestyles are presented as the ‘ideal’ lifestyle in media advertising and developed concept of ‘cereal packet family’. Also recognised the power of the image of the ‘traditional family’ and noticed it was a socially constructed model. There are assumptions and requirements of what a family ‘should be’.
E.g Friday Night Dinner

Question 41

What is the meaning of the concept ‘cereal packet family’?

Answer 41

The image that is sold to us as desirable in the media

Question 42

Newman

Answer 42

Traditional representations of working class

suggests that there are very few films/dramas that give a realistic image of the everyday life of the working class. They are stereotyped and labelled in an unflattering and pitying light. News organisations make them seem like the problem in society. Believed that the working class are the cause of high unemployment and its not due to governmental policies.

Question 43

Dodd and Dodd

Answer 43

Traditional representations of working class

examined Eastenders and said show presents view of traditional notion of working class communities but state it doesn’t accurately reflect a modern day working class culture.

Question 44

Jones

Answer 44

Traditional representations of working class
Wrote a book : ‘Chavs: The Demonization of the working class’ which discussed the word ‘chav’. Also talks about ‘chavtainment’. Working class portrayed as the ‘scum of the earth’.

Question 45

Baumberg et al

Answer 45

Traditional representations of underclass
researched ‘Benefits Stigma in Britain’ and analysed national press articles. Said there was an inappropriate focus on benefit fraud. Common language used to describe benefits as ‘undeserving’ included fraud and dishonesty, dependency and outsider status. Working class presented as ‘scrounging’ from the welfare state. Reflects the New Right views of an underclass lifestyle.

Question 46

Golding and Middleton

Answer 46

Traditional representations of underclass
examined notion of moral panics surrounding the underclass. Carried out content analysis and discovered “welfare issues” were not discussed unless connected to other social issues such as crime. Demonization of underclass has lead to justifying cuts in welfare state funding.

Question 47

Price

Answer 47

Traditional representations of underclass
concept ‘poverty porn’ to describe programmes such as Benefit street =media exploits participants and their lifestyle in order to shock and entertain the audiences. Underclass to be condemned by the hard working middle and upper classes.

Question 48

Nairn 2

Answer 48

Changing representation of upper class
media representations of upper class were traditionally positive but over recent years have been negative.

Question 49

Reiner

Answer 49

Changing representations of upper class
media representations of wealthy people are being used to show examples of hard work, success and meritocracy. When people are portrayed as having a huge amount of wealth, success is celebrated by the media. Audience encouraged to identify with the culture of consumption and materialism.

Question 50

Devereux

Answer 50

Changing representations of working class
recently there has been a more positive and realistic portrayal of the working class. Discusses the TV show ‘The Royle Family’ as a more realistic attempt of portraying working class families.

Question 51

Dodd and Dodd 2

Answer 51

Changing representations of working class
shows like Eastenders have introduced realism as they look at issues regarding alcohol and drug abuse, crime, attempted suicide, abortion and relationship.

Question 52

Price

Answer 52

Changing representations of underclass
used a discourse analysis looking at Benefit street and how the characters are presented as decent and compassionate people captured by an unfair society. Argues that these more empathetic aspects are missed by viewers.

Question 53

Heintz-Knowles

Answer 53

Traditional representation of childhood and youth
conducted a content analysis to study the way children are portrayed in entertainment television. Children motivated by peer relationships and romance, children from minority ethnic groups are under-represented, girls are twice as likely as boys to show affection and boys show more physical aggression

Question 54

Griffin

Answer 54

Transitional representations of childhood and youth
Suggests that the media portrays youths as a social problem in three ways= dysfunctional : doesn’t function effectively , suffering a deficit : hard done by , deviant : norm and law breaking

Question 55

Wayne

Answer 55

Traditional representations of childhood
of 286 stories where young people are the main focus, 28% focused on young celebrities as footballers. 82% focused on young people as victims of crime or perpetrators. Suggests that problems regarding housing, education, unemployment etc are ignored

Question 56

Women in Journalism

Answer 56

Traditional representations of childhood and youth
carried out a study called ‘Hoodies or Altar Boys’. How teenage boys were presented in the media. = negative language to describe them, crime, few stories presented teenage boys ina positive light.

Question 57

Kelly

Answer 57

Traditional representations of childhood and youth
Conducted research on the language used by journalists to describe young people who come into contact with the law. 3 types of representation : young people are dangerous, young people are in need of protection, young people are immature

Question 58

Cohen

Answer 58

Traditional representations of childhood and youth
study on Folk Devils and Moral Panics = media depicted youths as dangerous and deviant. Looks at concepts including, labelling theory, self-fulfilling prophecy, moral panic

Question 59

Landis

Answer 59

Traditional representations of elderly
supports the findings of Age Concern and identified a number of stereotypes in representations of older people. They were depicted as ‘one-dimensional’ and described as grumpy old man, feisty old woman, depressed or lonely
E.g Catherine Tate show

Question 60

Cuddly and Fiske

Answer 60

Traditional representations of elderly
in the US, TV programmes portray 1.5% of their characters as elderly. Used as a form of comedy. Media depicted their mental, physical and sexual capacities as ineffective.

Question 61

Milner et al

Answer 61

Traditional representations of elderly

the media does not portray a balanced view of ageing. Need to present the challenges of getting older alongside positive opportunities of aging such as active aging

Question 62

Carrigan and Szmigin

Answer 62

Traditional representations of elderly
Suggests that the number of older consumers in society has increased but they are less likely to be portrayed in advertisements than younger people.

Question 63

Postman

Answer 63

Changing representations of childhood and youth
found that the idea of childhood is disappearing as children interact more with the media. Children are sexualised in the media and the media creates a world where adults and children share the same music, sports, language etc. lack of difference between children and adults is emphasised through clothing. Children exposed to adult content.

Question 64

Osgerby

Answer 64

Changing representations of childhood and youth
Suggests that in the second half of the 20th century, there was a recurring theme of ‘youth as trouble’. Changes in media representations of youth reflect wider cultural developments and ‘mirror the spirit of times’. Youth presented positively in 1950s and 1960s due to post war hope and prosperity. 70s and 80s = associated with violence and going against society’s norms and values.

Question 65

Lee et al

Answer 65

Changing representations of elderly
old people are underrepresented in adverts. Only in 15% of adverts but 90% were positive portraying elderly people as ‘golde agers’. Gender difference in perception of old people in the media, older men more visible than older women with older men being more likely to be associated with higher status, older men associated with family and poverty.

Question 66

Biggs

Answer 66

Changing representations of elderly
evidence for change in the representation of old age in the media. = larger number of older people appearing in soap operas, older people are more active.

Question 67

Carrigan and Szmigin

Answer 67

Changing representation of elderly

Suggests that the number of older consumers in society has increased but they are less likely to be portrayed in advertisements than younger people.