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1. Representation Theories
Lauren Murray

2. Male Gaze - Laura Mulvey
Talks about the representation of
male & female characters
Mulvey suggests that female
characters tend to be displayed for the
visual pleasure of male characters and
audience members.
Females are coded as the ‘object’ of
gaze within media texts and are
represented in a sexual way.
• Men = Look (active)
• Women = Looked at (passive)
Summary
Mulveys theory suggests that female
characters only appear on the television for
male pleasure.
They are coded as the ‘object’.
Key points
The women are portrayed as attractive and
thin. If they do not have such traits they are
not used for the male gazed, and are seen
as unattractive.
The men are of the active audience
(dominant); whereas the females are
passive.
Example of how it applies to TV Drama
Ex on the Beach – Only pretty, thin young
girls appear on the programme.

3. Hyppereality - Baudrillard
Representations no longer refer to
‘real’ things. The representation has
become more real to us than reality,
and has actually replaced it. This
means that images are now ‘hyperreal’
in that they bare no relationship to the
real
E.g. An image of a pop star shows their
celebrity image, not their reality
This theory can also be applied to texts
that claim to be real e.g.
Documentaries, news
Stereotypes can be used to enhance
realism
Summary
Representations of things has become more
real to use than reality. Images are now
‘hyperreal’ meaning they have no relation
to the real world.
Key Points
Stereotypes can be used to enhance
realism. Can be applied to texts that claim
to be real.
Example how it applies to TV Drama
Amy Winehouse - She was perceived in the
media as completely different to what she
turned out to be like.
TOWIE – This claims to be a documentary;
however the show is scripted and therefore
not real.

4. Stereotypes legitimise inequality - Dyer
Stereotypes perform a number of
functions in media representations.
Dyer argues that the use of
stereotypes in the media reinforces
the idea that there are big differences
between different types of people
‘How we are seen determines how we
are treated. How we treat others is
determined by how we see them. How
we see them comes from
representation’
This form of stereotyping, as Richard
Dyer would argue is to legitimise
(support) inequality
Links to Hyperrealism: Most
representations conform to some form
of stereotype and are exaggerated or
hyper real for entertainment values.
Summary
Representations in the media are formed by
stereotypes presented. Dyer believes that
the use of stereotypes in the media has
reinforced the idea that there are big
differences between different people.
Key Points
This form of serotyping is known as
legitimise inequality, according to Richard
Dyer. Links to hyperrealism.

5. Dominant Ideology - Hall
Stuart Hall – dominant, oppositional
and negotiated readings of
representation
 Hall was concerned with media
power, including how it propagates
social values.
 He believes that the mass media
are the ones that create and define
the problems and issues of public
concern and segregate society
Dominant ideology - a set of beliefs
that are widely accepted as being the
most normal, or the most accurate.
For example, the dominant ideology of
men is that they are strong, brave and
work to provide money for their
families.
Summary
Concerned about the power that the media
carries. He believes that the mass media
cause the problems and issues of public
concern and separating society.
Key points
Dominant Ideology = the beliefs that are
said to be the most normal and accurate.
For example, the dominant ideology of
men is that they are strong, brave and
provide money for their families.
Also the dominant ideology of women is
that they are the weaker sex, the damsel in
distress and stays at home to look after the
children.

6. Hegenomy - Gramsci
A way of using representations to control
other people.
Hegemony aims to ensure the majority
support the rule of the minority (even
though the rule of that minority – the elite
– is not in the interests of the majority).
Represents all groups apart from the elite as
unfit or unsuitable to hold and wield
legitimate power. Represents the elite as
the only group capable of ensuring social
peace, prosperity, justice, etc.
Any group portrayed as ‘outside the
boundaries of normal society’ (i.e. as other)
are being represented as fearful so that the
majority will turn to the elite for
protection.
Consider; ‘hoodies’, paedophiles, criminals,
‘chavs’, foreigners, immigrants
My notes
There is a hierarchy which states that the
majority (lower class) support the rule of
the minority (upper class) as they have the
control, power and money.
Represents those who are not part of the
elite group as unfit or unsuitable to hold
power. The elite are the only capable group
with ensure social peace, prosperity and
justice ect.

7. Binary opposites & dominant/subordinate goups – Levi Strauss
Two contrasting characters or scenes
that are seen in one show, that are
clearly meant to be total opposites.
For example there may be a sweet
innocent girl who is scared and weak,
paired against an evil powerful man.
They would be binary opposite
characters. Binary opposites could be
concepts such as good/evil, light/dark,
male/female, old/young
Representation of
dominant/subordinate groups
Summary
Two complete opposite characters or
scenes appear together in one show. Known
as binary opposites.
Key points
EG: Good and evil, light and dark, male and
female and old and young.