Representations of Issues: Mental Health and Disability
Slide 2
Representation of Issues: Mental Health Looking at the
representation of issues is trickier than looking at the
representation of groups of people or events. You are analysing how
the media represents an idea. A good place to start is Soap Operas.
These are often issue led programmes that offer occasionally
stereotypical representations and sometimes thought provoking or
even controversial representations. Examples of Issues to research
and deconstruct could be: Body image Substance abuse Violent crime
Religion Celebrity Culture Political issues Relationships The exam
will ask you to refer to two different examples.
Slide 3
Representation of Issues: Mental Health An issue which has been
represented in a variety of ways - both positive and negative - is
the issue of mental illness and mental health. This makes it a
great case study for the exam. Question: What do you know about
schizophrenia? How much of this is from films that you have seen?
With reference to your own detailed examples, explore the ways in
which two different issues are represented in the media today? [30]
With reference to your own detailed examples, explore the ways in
which two different issues are represented in the media today?
[30]
Slide 4
How do these texts reinforce or challenge what you know about
it? What do they not tell us about schizophrenia?
Slide 5
Perception from mediaReality Implies split personalities The
split personalities are extreme in nature Jekyll & Hyde
Madness, violence, aggression psychotic behaviour Incurable and
uncontrollable Outcast in society people that should be feared (or
alternatively it can be seen as something to be mocked or made
light of) Split or multiple personalities is not a symptom of
Schizophrenia its a completely different condition, and even then
theres nothing to suggest that these would juxtapose each other.
People with severe mental illnesses are more likely to harm
themselves than others. With the correct medication and support
many people that have severe mental illness can overcome their
condition. Despite living in more liberal times, severe mental
illnesses can be very isolating & many sufferers commit
suicide
Slide 6
In pairs discuss films you can think of which associate mental
illness with violence, aggression and as something to be feared...
These representations often Stereotype mental illness......what two
characteristics have we previously suggested make up a stereotype?
1. 2. Appearance (including accent) Behaviour - what people do
Slide 7
The Dark Knight The Joker Batman describes The Joker as a:
Schizophrenic clown, experts in psychiatric care and mental health
describe him as an: Incorrect stereotype. A key theory of any
representation is the use and construction of stereotypes. How have
people with schizophrenia been stereotyped by the character of the
Joker in The Dark Knight? http://youtu.be/wQHfoz9Be7U How does the
Joker reinforce stereotypes of mental illness based on:
1.Appearance 2.Behaviour
Slide 8
Pi A balanced representation? Darren Aranofskys first movie,
Pi, looks at a brilliant mathematician called Max Cohen and his
descent into madness as he obsessively attempts to discover
numerical patterns which will allow him to understand the world
around him. The representation of Maxs decline in mental health is
interesting in the way that the audience is positioned by the
director. Any representation is a construction of the media - this
means that we must consider the opinions of both: those who have
encoded the text and those that have decoded the text. Put simply -
the creators and the audience.
Slide 9
Watch the sequence is from Darren Aranofsky's avant garde film
Pi. The director wants us to identify with the character Max as he
descends into madness. The audience is encouraged to be part of
Max's mental breakdown. Rather than looking at what happens in each
scene concentrate on how technical codes have been used to
represent Maxs illness. Sound Camera/Framing Editing How has the
director positioned the audience to represent the mental health of
this character? Is it a positive or negative representation? Does
it matter? http://youtu.be/F1NgFQnToEA
Slide 10
Is this a negative stereotype? Who is being mocked? (Anne?
Others with learning difficulties? The audience? The media itself?)
Does it matter? The following video is from the sketch show Little
Britain and features a character with severe learning difficulties
called Anne. How does it use stereotypes of mental illness?
Different Readings: This representation could be read as very
derogatory and spiteful, but it might also be read as mocking our
own preconceptions of learning difficulties, or even the media
itself for having such a limited representation of such issues.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn1EFJz3AbI
Slide 11
Television soap-operas have always been issue led. With well
developed characters and continuous storylines they have always had
the ability to help the audience understand and explore various
issues in society. Sometimes sympathetically, sometimes
controversially, sometimes breaking taboos. The nation's favourite,
Corrie, has been at the forefront of issue led soaps for more than
fifty years and 2011 saw the show tackle the issue of Alzheimers,
focussing mostly on the experiences of those caring for someone
suffering from the disease. When analysing any representation we
must consider the views of the audience and decide whether they
have responded with a preferred, negotiated or oppositional reading
to the text. Read the article from http://www.dementia.co.uk/ to
see how they view Corrie's portrayal of such a serious illness - at
the bottom of the document are responses to the article from
audience members.http://www.dementia.co.uk/ What kind of reading
have they made?
Slide 12
Balanced or Stereotypical? How has the illness been
represented? Is the article correct?
http://youtu.be/MtrWYVtuMPk
Slide 13
Last night she was facing the axe from the series after a Sun
investigation revealed she had been diagnosed with serious mental
issues - but had not informed show bosses. Psychiatrists have
declared she has a series of problems which may affect her ability
to care for Mariah. And experts fear she may worsen if propelled to
fame by The X Factor. A medical source said: "Shirlena is as
fragile as Susan Boyle was - but the difference is that Susan
didn't have a child to worry about. "We believe this woman is not a
suitable candidate for a reality show that can cause immense stress
and instant fame. "Hopefully the makers will agree that the best
thing for Shirlena and her child is to gently drop them from
filming and let us help her be the best mother she can." The source
added: "Sadly Shirlena is not in the best of health. She has been
described by expert professionals as a 'ticking timebomb'. What are
the ideologies of The Sun surrounding mental illness? Analyse the
language used as well as the images.
Slide 14
Analyse the four representations of mental health from the same
story. Make sure you look at pictures as well as words. Hint: Some
elements are more subtle than others. Are some representations more
sympathetic than others?
Slide 15
Selection Organisation Focus How have the texts been mediated?
What processes has the issue of mental health been
through?Mediation?
Slide 16
Whilst the copy is matter of fact and largely objective, the
selection of photo seems to suggest what the real views of the
Telegraph are in this front page. However the focus of the article
may actually be more concerned with the Mental Health Act.
Slide 17
This typically sensationalist and unsympathetic headline from
The Sun caused much controversy and was actually pulled from later
editions. Interestingly, they use a similar image to that of the
Telegraph.
Slide 18
Like the Telegraph the Daily Express seems objective but the
selection of the phrase 'Mental Home makes it quite clear how they
view illnesses such as those suffered by Bruno.
Slide 19
This seems like the most sympathetic and least exploitative but
is worthy of analysis - think about the selection of words, the
type of photo taken - are we encouraged to pity, to voyeuristically
watch from a safe distance?
Slide 20
With reference to your own detailed examples, explore the ways
in which two different issues are represented in the media today?
[30] With reference to your own detailed examples, explore the ways
in which two different issues are represented in the media today?
[30] What next? You should now be able to write in depth and with
many different examples about how this issue has been represented.
Heres what the question might look like... Success Checklist... Are
you being specific about your examples? Are you discussing theories
such as Mediation & Stereotyping? Are you discussing typical
and challenging representations? Have you analysed a range of
different codes rather than just things that happen in the
narrative? Have you made a point/argument?
Slide 21
Representation of Issues: Disability How does this text
reinforce or challenge what you know about disability? How does it
represent disability?
Slide 22
Representation of Issues: Disability Here is someone who is not
simply "in" a wheelchair (are all disabled people in wheelchairs?),
but who relies on the structure of the chair to give them arms. If
the word "disabled" can be represented in such a simple symbol as
the one above are we reducing a large and diverse group of human
beings to something less complicated than your average road
sign?
Slide 23
Representation of disability in different media formats What
stereotypes of the disabled exist in the media?
Slide 24
Match the following texts to these representations. Remember to
consider: how appearance and behaviour reinforce or challenge
stereotypes how the texts have been mediated (selection;
organisation; focus) what the ideology of the texts might be
different readings 1.Pitiable and pathetic; sweet and innocent;
childlike 2.Victim of violence or bullying 3.Sinister or evil 4.The
noble warrior, triumphing over tragedy 5.The butt of jokes
6.Aggressive avenger 7.A burden on society, incapable of
participating in everyday life 8.Non-sexual
Slide 25
Slide 26
Slide 27
Nice Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPJ0hm-Xpmc What
different readings exist of this representation? What is the
ideology of this text? Remember to consider: The person/thing being
represented The opinions of those encoding the representation The
reaction of the target audience The context of our society and
dominant ideologies
Slide 28
Slide 29
What different readings exist of this representation?
http://youtu.be/tOimeRod4TY
Slide 30
Slide 31
http://youtu.be/eMyTs6H2__4 Lou and Andy
Slide 32
Slide 33
Slide 34
Diary of a Call Girl http://youtu.be/auSAGvpM 7W8
Slide 35
What is the impact of these representations?
Slide 36
Jenny Morris (1991) argues that cultural portrayals of
disability are usually about the feelings of non-disabled people
and their reactions to disability, rather than about disability
itself. Disability thus becomes: Many impairments are hidden
(dyslexia, visual impairments, deafness etc)....a metaphor...for
the message that the non-disabled writer wishes to get across, in
the same way that beauty is used. In doing this, the writer draws
on the prejudice, ignorance and fear that generally exist towards
disabled people, knowing that to portray a character with a humped
back, with a missing leg, with facial scars, will evoke certain
feelings in the reader or audience. The more disability is used as
a metaphor for evil, or just to induce a sense of unease, the more
the cultural stereotype is confirmed (Morris, 1991:93). List the
types of impairment you have seen in TV programmes, films, magazine
or newspaper articles. How do you feel about the people represented
in them? Do they inspire pity or horror for example?
Slide 37
Hannibal (film) Agent Starling goes to see Lecters victim
(Mason Verger) who is in bed, hidden in the shadows and surrounded
by curtains. The light is raised to give a horror view of his face.
The character here is evil too, so we associate his facial scarring
with punishment for his evil nature, and also with the visual
manifestation of evil (we expect evil people to look evil, thanks
to generations of fairy tales). We are supposed to be shocked, to
recoil in horror. How do you think this affects people with facial
scarring? Representations of disability in different media formats
http://youtu.be/bQkGH-uLbyY
Slide 38
Television: Apart from specialist programmes like the BBC's
'One in Four' and 'Same Difference' on Channel 4, disabled people
are generally under represented on British television; but when
they are it is usually in the context of one of the disabling
stereotypes. In factual or current affairs programmes stories about
disabled people are usually linked to medical treatment or the
special achievements of disabled individuals - usually children.
With one or two notable exceptions disabled people rarely appear in
soaps or quiz shows. Their absence from mainstream programming
coupled with the link between disability and medicine reinforces
the widespread misconception that disabled people are ill and
unable to participate in every day life. In fictional programmes,
the genre most likely to include disabled characters is crime and
thriller films. They usually appear as criminals, monsters or
powerless and pathetic victims. In most cases disabled characters
are introduced not because they are ordinary people but to suggest
precisely the opposite. Their disability becomes a shorthand for
the type of character they are usually evil!
Slide 39
Television drama and film Wheelchairs tend to predominate here,
since they are an iconic sign of disability. Most actors playing
disabled characters are, however, not disabled. The wheelchair
allows the character to be obviously disabled, whilst still looking
normal, and does not therefore present any major challenges for
audience identification. e.g. Artie from Glee -- does he break or
reinforce stereotypes? disabled in a car accident social outcast
due to his disability bullied/victim of violence due to his
disability overcomes his disability to dance/sing needs special
arrangements re: transport etc. his strongest desire is to walk
(has several dream sequences where he is able-bodied) takes part in
physical activities is sexually active
Slide 40
http://youtu.be/TiOfp-sdMro
Slide 41
Cerrie Burnell Cbeebies Presenter The 29-year-old studied BA
Theatre Arts at MMU before going on to appear in the likes of Holby
City, EastEnders, The Bill and Comedy Lab. She has combined her
acting career with working as a teaching assistant in a special
needs school. Taking the job, she said: "I'm really passionate
about firing up kids' imaginations, so this is a dream job come
true for me, especially as I also have a young daughter. I've never
done TV presenting before so its been brilliant fun getting to ice
cakes, getting covered in glitter and reading bedtime stories.
Slide 42
Newspapers The tabloids are a particularly potent source of
disability representations. The Daily Mail, featured a Muslim
cleric who had his hands blown off in Afghanistan. He was pictured
with his hooks on prominent display, described in the article as
metal claws. "Plucky Kate stepping out to a new life" The Star,
2004 "But the future is now looking brighter. Katie is learning to
walk again, following a year of straightening treatment." sufferer,
courageous, condition, deterioration, plight, brave and normal (as
in a normal school').
Slide 43
Newspapers The use of disablist language is common in
newspapers, and not only in the tabloids, but also in the so called
'quality' papers. Terms like 'the disabled' and 'the handicapped'
appear quite regularly despite campaigns by disability
organizations to raise the awareness of journalists.
http://youtu.be/1RtIVWyPRUg Reports about disabled people are
usually featured for their sensation value rather than their
accuracy. Common examples include items about the sexual impotency
of recently disabled men, individuals who 'bravely manage' to
achieve despite 'their handicap', and the non-disabled celebrity
who understands the 'plight' of disabled people, or who is willing
to make unprecedented personal sacrifices to help a particular
charity.
Slide 44
Advertising Disabled people are generally excluded or ignored
by mainstream advertising. This suggests they a) do not exist and
b) do not buy products. Charity campaigns present a distorted view
of disability: that they are dependent, worthy of pity and
pathetic. - Black and white often used - Focus on children -
Emotive language - Ask for support/money
Slide 45
Breaking the Mould: Debenhams 2010 ad campaign Benetton
Sunflowers Campaign 2011
Slide 46
Paralympics
Slide 47
Meet the Superhumans http://youtu.be/tuAPPeRg3Nw
http://youtu.be/6LxE2zsva0Ehttp://youtu.be/6LxE2zsva0E -- Ellie
Simmons The Last Leg
Slide 48
http://youtu.be/-Btgk-XUjHU Oscar Pistorius Using the
constructionist approach to representation, analyse the following
texts featuring Oscar Pistorius. How do they challenge stereotypes?
How have they been mediated? How have the representations been
constructed?
Slide 49
Slide 50
Slide 51
Slide 52
Different readings: What do you think is the preferred reading
of this text? Why was it removed after Pistorius was arrested for
the murder of his girlfriend? (i.e. what other readings were
possible after this event?)
Slide 53
Slide 54
With reference to your own detailed examples, explore the
representation of disability in the media today. How to answer this
question: Use 2-3 specific examples of how media texts represent
the given group and analyse them in detail Demonstrate an
understanding of the concept of representation. Think about: The
role of selection, construction and anchorage in creating the
representations How the media uses representations The points of
view, messages and values present in the representations Make sure
you anchor your examples in terms of context (are they typical or
non- typical; how do they relate to other examples?) and purpose
(why are they constructed in this way?) Try to take your analysis
of your examples beyond a simple consideration of positive and
negative: think about issues and debates surrounding your examples
Use contemporary examples (in the media today) Use the grid on your
sheet to help you plan your answer.