Section b planning answer

Recap identity theory

Date Term ?, Lesson ? 1

“IDENTITY IS COMPLICATED. EVERYONE THINKS THEY’VE GOT ONE”

(GAUNTLETT, 2007)

“A focus on Identity requires us to pay closer attentionto the ways in which media and technologies are used in everyday life and their consequences for social groups”

-David Buckingham

David Buckingham

• “our identity is something we uniquely possess: it is what distinguishes us from other people. Yet on the other hand, identity also implies a relationship with a broader collective or social group of some kind. When we talk about national identity, cultural identity, or gender identity, for example, we imply that our identity is partly a matter of what we share with other people.” (Buckingham, 2008)

Collective Identity• ‘A collective identity may have been first constructed by outsiders

who may still enforce it, but depends on some acceptance by those to whom it is applied. Collective identities are expressed in cultural materials – names, narratives, symbols, verbal styles, rituals, clothing.’Francesca Poletta, James M Jasper, Collective Identity and Social Movements

• ‘Although there is no consensual definition of collective identity, discussions of the concept invariably suggest that its essence resides in a shared sense of ‘one-ness’ or ‘we-ness’ anchored in real or imagined shared attributes and experiences among those who comprise the collectivity and in relation or contrast to one or more actual imagined sets of ‘others’.David Snow, Collective Identity and Expressive Form

Self-Identity and Social Identity

• Self-identity refers to how we define ourselves. Self-identity forms the basis of our self-esteem. In adolescence, the way we see ourselves changes in response to peers, family, and school, among other social environments. Our self-identities shape our perceptions of belonging.

• Social identity is constructed by others, and may differ from self-identity. Typically, people categorize individuals according to broad, socially-defined labels. For example, if you have dark skin, you may be labelled "black" by others even though you may not have adopted that identity for yourself.

• A positive self-identity is correlated with positive self-esteem [5, 6]. All identities are not equally valued by society, so some adolescents may especially need reinforcement to help them construct a positive sense of self.

Tafjal & TurnerConcept• Social Identity Theory

Explanation• In the Social Identity Theory, a person has not one, “personal self”, but

rather several selves that correspond to widening circles of group membership. Different social contexts may trigger an individual to think, feel and act on basis of his personal, family or national “level of self”

• Apart from the “level of self”, an individual has multiple “social identities”. Social identity is the individual’s self-concept derived from perceived membership of social groups

How could this be applied to youth identity and in particular, ‘Cyberbully’?

Identity Construction Quotes• Sheldon StrykerWe interact with others to create an identity, this is

called identity negotiation. This develops a consistent set of behaviours that reinforce the identity of the person or group. This behaviour then become social expectations.This is particularly relevant for collective identities (especially sub-cultures) that develop a specific way of relating to each other (attitude, language, ideas) that goes some way to helping construct our identity.

• Mikhail BakhtinThe Russian philosopher Bakhtin believed that individual people cannot be finalized, completely understood, known or labeled. He saw identity as the unfinalised self meaning a person is never fully revealed or known.This ties in with the idea that identity is a fluid concept, a life-long project that is never complete.

Identity Construction Quotes

• Sheldon StrykerHow you interact with your social group changes

your identity. You adopt language and behaviour techniques that are specific to you.

Microcosm • Mikhail Bakhtin• People cannot be pigeon holed or labeled. Our

identity is constantly evolving


• Quotes from David Gauntlett (Media, Gender and Identity)

• 'It is the case that the construction of identity has become a known requirement. Modern Western societies does not leave individuals in any doubt that they need to make choices of identity and lifestyle - even if their preferred options are rather obvious and conventional ones, or are limited due to lack of financial (or cultural) resources. As the sociologist Ulrich Beck has noted - everyone wants to 'live their own life,' but this is, at the same time 'an experimental life'.'

• Today we're bombarded with ideas about - being yourself, standing out or finding your place - we're encourage to define our existence in terms of what buy, do, earn money from or enjoy. Obviously finding an 'identity' is problematic especially when so many existing identities and roles are uncertain - think gender roles, career stability, upward mobility in class. So is saying that we experiment with 'identities' to see what fits, works and is comfortable.


• Quotes from David Gauntlett (Media, Gender and Identity)

• We are encouraged to experiment with our identities to see what fits us best.

• We are a fluid identity.

Henry Giroux

Concepts• Youth as empty category

• ExplanationGiroux's theory addresses the media's influence on youths. He believes that youths act as a sort vessel open to influences of adult culture and how the media chooses to represent them, therefore shaping the youths cultural contexts.

Can you think of any examples of this?

Henry GirouxConcepts• Youth as empty category

• ExplanationThe media chooses the way they represent race, class, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, occupation, age and so on, therefore leaving an influence on the youths that are not necessarily true. The media acts upon what it's audience wants. When appealing to a adult audience, the media will reflect fears and anxieties that adults may find entertaining, therefore giving an unrealistic view on youths. Giroux suggests that the media influences them in a certain way as youths are so impressionable, for example, if they are represented as loud and abusive in films, they will act on this because they are being told to act in such a way.

Henry Giroux

Concepts• Youth as empty category

• Quote“Youth as a complex, shifting, and contradictory category is rarely narrated in the dominant public sphere through the diverse voices of the young. Prohibited from speaking as moral and political agents, youth become an empty category inhabited by the desires, fantasies, and interests of the adult world. This is not to suggest that youth don't speak, they are simply restricted from speaking in those spheres where public conversation shapes social policy and refused the power to make knowledge consequential with respect to their own individual and collective needs.” (Giroux, 1998)

Antonio GramsciConcepts• Cultural hegemony

Explanation• Gramsci developed the idea of "cultural hegemony". As I mentioned

before, this is the idea that one social class within a culture dominates society, therefore making their views and values acceptable and "normal" behaviour.

• Gramsci believes hegemony is constantly causing problems within societies arguing what is actually a "normal" way of life. For example, this arguing is shown through negative and positive representation of youths from different classes, most commonly underclass

Antonio Gramsci

Concepts• Cultural hegemony

Quote• So one could say that each one of us changes himself,

modifies himself to the extent that he changes the complex relations of which he is the hub... If one's own individuality means to acquire consciousness of them and to modify one's own personality means to modify the ensemble of these relations. (Gramsci)

MEST3 – The Exam

The StructureSection A – Unseen Texts – 32 marks • 1 hour • 15 minutes viewing/reading time and making

notes then 45 minutes to answer• 3 questions – you must answer ALL three

Section B – The Essay – 48 marks• 1 hour • 15 minutes writing your essay plan and 45

minutes to answer• Choice of 4 questions – answer ONE!

Section A –The Unseen Texts

• You will be given two texts, likely to be from different platforms.

• You will be given some basic info on the texts – be sure to read carefully as it will give you clues.

• They will have something in common – a theme/issue/debate.

• Make notes before attempting to answer the questions.

Section A – The Questions

• Q1 will likely be about representation.• Q2 will tend to be about audience theory. • Q3 will likely be about new media.• Base your answers on the two texts, but reference

other relevant texts to support your answers – the more the better!

• Answer ALL the questions, even if you are unsure have a go – do not throw away marks.

Section B – The Essay 48 marks

• Choice of 4 questions • 2 on Identity in the Media and 2 on the Impact of New

Media• You only answer 1!• Use your case study text as your base. (Identity – youth or your chosen minority)• Discuss as many secondary texts as possible.• Try to cross all three media platforms.• Discuss any theories/theorists/issues and debates that

are relevant.

Practise question

Mainstream media is a powerful influence on the construction of an individual’s identity.

Use your case study to explore the impact of the media in the construction of identities. Date Term ?, Lesson ? 22

First things first

• Read the Q• Identify the key words and phrases of the Q• Highlight or underline• What is it actually asking you? Rephrase it.• Which case study will be most appropriate?

Youth or minority/marginalised identity?• Pick a side! Do you agree or disagree?• Don’t forget to build it up and knock it down!


Planning – 15 minutes

• Introduction – rephrase the question• Use the question to create your journey.• Identify four or five points in response to the

Q (are they supporting or challenging the question?)

• Identify evidence• Identify theory that can be applied



Use your case study to explore the impact of the media in the construction of identities.

planning – youth identityIntro

Agree or disagree ? point evidence Theory/analysis

P1

P2

P3

P4

P5



Use your case study to explore the impact of the media in the construction of identities.

Example – minority (immigrants)Intro - yes agree - minority/marginalised groups (immigrants)

P1 Yes Why the mainstream media is powerful. Sky – Rupert MurdochBBC Rep of majority groups rather than minority

• Marxism• Hegemony• Institutions• Dependency

theory

P2 Yes

P3 Yes

P4 No

P5 No Crowd funding ‘I am an immigrant’ campaign

• Challenges dominant ideologies

• countertypes


Homework

• Use www.mediaknowall.com to explore ‘news values’

• What are the different news values and what do they mean?

• Where have you seen them evident in the print, digital and broadcast news examples that we have explored?

Due Thursday 30th AprilDate Term ?, Lesson ? 27

http://www.mediaknowall.com/

Education

Section b planning answer