Representation theories

Definition

Representation is when a certain person, image or object is viewed by an audience and how the audience interprets it.

How it is used in a pop magazineThere are many representation theories for example Laura Mulvey’s theory that all women are represented in a sexual way to attract male audiences. This particular magazine goes against this theory because ‘Rhianna’ is on the front cover and unlike her other cover, such as Billboards where she posed half naked, she is represented as casual and fun not sexual. This is due to the target audience because this magazine is aimed at young teens that wont be interested in viewing women in a sexual way. In terms of the ideology the magazine comes across as fun, informal and light-hearted this is due to the cluttered format and informal language. The magazine influences people into thinking that the magazine is meant for a bit fun, to gain some knowledge about your role models and how to improve your style. This dominant reading would fit into the target audience of the typical pop genre because young teens stereotypically want to keep up with fashion and have fun. The oppositional reading of the magazine doesn’t fit in with the stereotypical audience because the advertisement of the ‘short shorts’ and the tight tops influences the audience of young teens to wear them, making the more sexualised, the fact that it is approved by ‘pop stars’ tries to disguise this. The magazine also implies that they talk about the sex life of Rihanna and Katy Perry by advertising the article with the words ’Wild nights out’.