Collective Identity and Representing Ourselves

Task 1: Media Magazine article

Read the Media Magazine article on collective identity: Self-image and the Media (MM41 - page 6). Our Media Magazine archive is here.

Complete the following tasks on your blog:

1) Read the article and summarise each section in one sentence, starting with the section 'Who are you?'

We are all involved in constructing an image to communicate our identity.

2) Do you agree with the view that modern media is all about 'style over substance'? What does this expression mean?

I do somewhat agree. The term used means something prioritizes glamour or style, but really looking deep into things there's nothing that stands out.

3) Explain Baudrillard's theory of 'media saturation' in one paragraph. You may need to research it online to find out more.

Media saturation is when there are too many adverts and messages from all sides, so the media and their messages can become less effective.

4) Is your presence on social media an accurate reflection of who you are? Have you ever added or removed a picture from a social media site purely because of what it says about the type of person you are?

Not entirely, as people can pick and choose what other people see and know about them. I don't think I have before.

5) What is your opinion on 'data mining'? Are you happy for companies to sell you products based on your social media presence and online search terms? Is this an invasion of privacy?

If it's private information, no, not really. That's an invasion of privacy. If it's public knowledge about me however, that doesn't really matter.


Task 2: Media Magazine cartoon

Now read the cartoon in MM62 (p36) that summarises David Gauntlett’s theories of identity. Write five simple bullet points summarising what you have learned from the cartoon about Gauntlett's theories of identity. Our Media Magazine archive is here.

- There are key theories influencing representation in the media that audiences use to construct their identities

- The media is diverse, allowing audiences to "pick and mix"

- Audiences actively process media messages and respond accordingly

- Generational differences affect the way audiences respond to the media

- Identities promoted to men are relatively constrained


Task 3: Representation & Identity: Factsheet blog task

Finally, use our brilliant Media Factsheet archive on the M: drive Media Shared (M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets) to find Media Factsheet #72 on Collective Identity. The Factsheet archive is available online here - you'll need your Greenford Google login to access. Read the whole of Factsheet and answer the following questions to complete our introductory work on collective identity:

1) What is collective identity? Write your own definition in as close to 50 words as possible.

A collective identity is an idea that a group of people share or have the same ideologies and traditions. 

2) How does James May's Top Toys offer a nostalgic representation of Britain?

The representation that James May offers is one of tradition and nostalgia and rejects Scotland. The nostalgic view on what it means to be British is constructed from Britain's view of the past.

3) How has new technology changed collective identity?

Technology has enabled people to actively engage with the content of the culture around them and go on to use their resources for their own cultural productions.

4) What phrase does David Gauntlett (2008) use to describe this new focus on identity? 

"Identity is complicated; everyone thinks they've got one."

5) How does the Shaun of the Dead Facebook group provide an example of Henry Jenkins' theory of interpretive communities online?

Fans around the world can understand and engage with it. The Facebook group is its own collective identity of fans.

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