Representation

Critical
Perspectives
Exam: Section 1b

Representation
Exam: Section 1b

Related key concepts…
• Media Language
(how the representation is created/mediated,
denotation and connotation)

Related key concepts…
• Media Language
(how the representation is created/mediated,
denotation and connotation)
• Institution and audience
(who is doing the representation and
who it is aimed at?)

What we need to know?
Who is being represented?
• In what way?
• By whom?

What we need to know?
Why is the subject being
represented in this way?
• Is the representation fair and accurate?
• Is there an opportunity for self-representation?

Mediation
Every time we encounter a
media text, we are not seeing
reality, but someone's version of
it.
This may seem obvious, but it is easily forgotten
when we are enjoying a text.

Mediation
Three things to look for…

Mediation
• SELECTION

Mediation
• SELECTION
• ORGANISATION

Mediation
• SELECTION
• ORGANISATION
• FOCUS

Mediation
Selection
Whatever ends up on
the screen much more
will have been left out.

Mediation
Organisation
Elements will be
organised carefully in
ways that real life is not.

Mediation
Organisation
Elements will be
organised carefully in
ways that real life is not.
This organisation will
result in…

Mediation
Focus
The audience is pushed
towards concentrating
on one aspect of the
text and ignoring others.

This is mediation.
Reality has been changed
Mediation

This is mediation.
Reality has been changed
This may not always be obvious but
it is always and inevitably the case
Mediation

Think of examples
of how you have
changed reality
in your
productions…
Mediation

Society,
the individual
and representation
Representation theory

Representation Theory
Three ways of looking at it…

• REFLECTIVE

• REFLECTIVE
• INTENTIONAL

• REFLECTIVE
• INTENTIONAL
• CONSTRUCTIONIST

Reflective
The representation takes the
true meaning and tries to
create a replica of it in the
mind of the viewer.

Reflective
The representation takes the true meaning
and tries to create a replica of it in the mind
of the viewer.
This is the view that many people have of
how news works - news producers take the
truth of news events and simply present it to
us as accurately as possible.

Reflective
• objective
• no bias
• no point of view

Intentional
The representation is
structured and clearly aims
to project a specific idea or
meaning decided by the
producer

Intentional
• focused
• subjective
• persuasive
• has an intention

Constructionist
A representation can never just be the truth
(reflective) or the version of the truth that
someone wants you to hear (intentional)
since that is ignores your ability as an
individual to make up your own mind and
the influences of society on the way you do
it.

Any representation is shaped by…

• the thing itself

• the opinions of the producer

• the opinions of the producer
• the reaction of the audience

WHAT
PERCEPTION
HOW

what
we are
shown
what
we see
is not necessarily

what
we see
is shaped by
education
experiences
culture
class
prejudices
etc.

Dominant
Ideology

Dominant Ideology
The way most people think and the codes
that most people live by in any given society.
This is not static but constantly changing as
new ideas and attitudes develop and
become predominant.

Dominant Ideology
Over the years representations are gradually
accepted (or rejected) by the majority of
people and in this way the dominant
ideology is gradually changed. A process
called negotiation.
The “establishment” tends to reinforce this
ideology while others will attempt to “push
the boundaries”

Dominant Ideology
is reinforced every time a text is
presented which represents the
opinions and beliefs of the
majority of the people

Stereotypes

Stereotypes
A stereotype is a standardised and usually
oversimplified, mental picture or attitude
that is held in common by members of a
group.

Stereotypes
A stereotype is a standardised and usually
oversimplified, mental picture or attitude
that is held in common by members of a
group.
It is a simplification used to make sense of a
real person or group (or place) which, in
reality, is much more complicated.

Reality is complex and
difficult to fully understand….
STEREOTYPING
Simplifies and speeds up
communication
Stereotypes

WE “GET IT” STRAIGHT AWAY
Stereotypes

Stereotypes
Stereotypes are potentially
highly dangerous but stereotyping
itself is impossible to avoid.
It is a natural function of the human mind.

Stereotyping is something that we
all do in order to survive mentally
in the confusing world
around us.
Stereotypes

We should also be aware that
just as with the process of mediation
stereotyping involves the selection,
organisation and focusing of the
complicated reality.
Stereotypes

A media stereotype is constructed from…

• appearance

• appearance
• behaviour

• appearance
• behaviour
• media specific factors

• appearance
• behaviour
• media specific factors
• comparison with the norm

Appearance and behaviour
These are not media specific and are
what we use everyday to judge
(and stereotype) people.
Stereotypes

Media specific elements
Our expectations as an audience for any
given genre and its conventions are well
known to producers.
So they will build stereotypes to satisfy us
Stereotypes

Comparison with normality.
This is how we judge stereotypes
Stereotypes

Comparison with normality.
This is how we judge stereotypes
BUT
What is normal?
Stereotypes

the end
Are you normal?
Are you a stereotype?

Representation

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