Representation Theory

- believes that men and women are shown through stereotypes of traditional gender roles 

men = aggressive, breadwinner, strong and management 

women = submissive, victims, wives and mothers 

- stereotyping happens when this process is followed:

1. variety and differences of a group are reduced to a small number of characteristics 

2. an exaggerated version of the characteristics are placed on the group regardless of the reality 

3. these characteristics are portrayed within the media 

- the stereotypes are a portrayl of power - those with more power stereotype those that have less power 

- stereotypes are not always negative 

- stereotypes aren't always about minority or less powerful groups 

- stereotypes can be developed about your own group 

- the stereotypes aren't always rigid and unchanging 

- stereotypes aren't always false 

- audiences have to view media texts from a heterosexual male's point of view 

- cameras tend to linger on the curves of women - they are often shown as males 'possessions' 

- characters fit into 7 spheres of actions: 

• the hero 
• the villain 
• the princess 
• the false hero/false villain 
• the helper 
• the donor 
• the dispatcher 

- opposites in the media may create conflict 

- some examples of opposites include male and female, hero and villain