A2 Sociology OCR G673 - Mass Media
Hi guys, I am taking this exam, if anyone else is, we can help each other on here. Thought it would be good to start a thread for it 
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Hey sociology students!
Ive just set up a twitter account for you to tweet me with any sociology questions you have Alevel or GCSE. I can't promise i can answer them all but I will try my best. I'm a third year sociology student at university and will do my best to answer any questions you have, no matter how silly they are. Need marxism explaining simply? different types of feminism? the term 'value freedom' ...anything at all, just ask away. Cheers and good luck ......
heres the link : http://twitter.com/#!/sociologytweet
Ive just set up a twitter account for you to tweet me with any sociology questions you have Alevel or GCSE. I can't promise i can answer them all but I will try my best. I'm a third year sociology student at university and will do my best to answer any questions you have, no matter how silly they are. Need marxism explaining simply? different types of feminism? the term 'value freedom' ...anything at all, just ask away. Cheers and good luck ......
heres the link : http://twitter.com/#!/sociologytweet
Original post by imasupercoolgeek
Hi guys, I am taking this exam, if anyone else is, we can help each other on here. Thought it would be good to start a thread for it
ahhhh! finally, someone's doing the same exam as me
can't remember ANYTHING. cue massive stress out
Original post by Sarah'
ahhhh! finally, someone's doing the same exam as me
can't remember ANYTHING. cue massive stress out
can't remember ANYTHING. cue massive stress out
FINALLY someone replied aha! you doing the mass media topic?
Original post by imasupercoolgeek
FINALLY someone replied aha! you doing the mass media topic?
yessss i am. Luckily my sociology teacher writes the ocr mark scheme! at least he knows what he's taught us
how are you finding it?
Original post by Sarah'
yessss i am. Luckily my sociology teacher writes the ocr mark scheme! at least he knows what he's taught us
how are you finding it?
how are you finding it?
OMG your so lucky! And im finding it really good and im really confident, you?&, do you need any help on anything or is there anything additional and beneficial things your teacher told you which might benefit me?
Original post by imasupercoolgeek
OMG your so lucky! And im finding it really good and im really confident, you?&, do you need any help on anything or is there anything additional and beneficial things your teacher told you which might benefit me?
i'm pretty happy with it all tbh. but i'm just stressing out because its still an exam
he taught us about logic of capitalism, which obviously benefits marxism...but it's about how any media always supports capitalism. we got 2 sociologists for that
Bagdikan - important issues of the bourgeosie are always mentioned in the media (eg, share price drops) whereas issues affecting the poor (eg, minimum wage) aren't mentioned
Wartella - studied 28 childrens' programmes and found they all carried the same capitalist message of hard work gets you places with no variation
I hope that makes sense...but yeah, he told us 'cause it's university stuff it didn't really matter if we didn't want to include it, but he would make sure it was in the mark scheme
Have you done all the globalisation and glocalisation stuff?
yeah I know what you mean, its just like "What if a question comes up which i dont understand?"... and wow them two sounds pretty good to use, we've done about Bagdikian, but thats how all media is owned by 5 large companies etc...
and globalisiation? no! Which topic is that under? Media research? Because we done all topics but the media research one..
and globalisiation? no! Which topic is that under? Media research? Because we done all topics but the media research one..
Original post by imasupercoolgeek
yeah I know what you mean, its just like "What if a question comes up which i dont understand?"... and wow them two sounds pretty good to use, we've done about Bagdikian, but thats how all media is owned by 5 large companies etc...
and globalisiation? no! Which topic is that under? Media research? Because we done all topics but the media research one..
and globalisiation? no! Which topic is that under? Media research? Because we done all topics but the media research one..
yeahhh, that's what i'm worried about. our teacher predicted last years questions, so he's gonna give us his predictions soon. i'll let you know what he reckons will come up
well globalisation and glocalisation apparently go with postmodernism, but i was confused about that too. the only time i've used it in a practice essay is where there was an essay on something like "outline and assess the effects of media on wider society"
how many sociologists do you have for stuff like age, gender, class and ethnicity?
Oh my word that would be so great if you could do that!
And with postmodernism, our teacher said it is very similar to pluralist so we usually combine the two of them and for the media representations of age, gender, class and ethnicity our teacher said that if that topic comes up, it will be social class. He used to be a OCR marker and said that they have done questions on all but class. He said he doubts that topic will come up at all as its been on the last 2 however if it does he said it will be Social Class. And in regards to sociologist, obviously Stuart Hall would be one (1981)- how blacks have 3 main stereotypes= the black, the native and the slave.
Devereux (2008)- working class has two main categories of stereotypes, the 'happy' and 'deserving' poor people.
Do you have any?
And with postmodernism, our teacher said it is very similar to pluralist so we usually combine the two of them and for the media representations of age, gender, class and ethnicity our teacher said that if that topic comes up, it will be social class. He used to be a OCR marker and said that they have done questions on all but class. He said he doubts that topic will come up at all as its been on the last 2 however if it does he said it will be Social Class. And in regards to sociologist, obviously Stuart Hall would be one (1981)- how blacks have 3 main stereotypes= the black, the native and the slave.
Devereux (2008)- working class has two main categories of stereotypes, the 'happy' and 'deserving' poor people.
Do you have any?
Im also putting up my notes on word, I will send them to you after ive finished?
Heyy Guys
I'm doing this unit as well. Have you guys checked http://getrevising.co.uk/ website. They have resources from past students. Very helpful. I will also add my notes here if you need them.
I'm doing this unit as well. Have you guys checked http://getrevising.co.uk/ website. They have resources from past students. Very helpful. I will also add my notes here if you need them.
Oooh brilliant - im doing this exam too! Been revising loads and loads! So very panicy about it! How are you all on essay technique? I wrote this but my teacher only gave me a C? Im aiming for an A as i want to do sociology at uni
But what do you guys think? Would this be like a model answer or not?
If not why not? :L Sorry i just like having feedback my teacher doesnt talk an aweful lot. Also any ideas whats coming up in the exam?
Outline and assess the view that the media are biased in their representation of ethnic minorities.
The mass media are a very powerful organisation within our society. In fact several Sociologists argue that the mass media directly affects and shapes our beliefs and opinions through repeated exposure to print media news etc. In fact this area of Sociology has been widely debated and discussed and is a topic of growing popularity in recent. Thus there are many differing views towards the way the media represents individuals in our society. Pluralists for example argue that the mass media only reflects public opinion, with no hidden ideological messages, whereas, Marxist commentators argue quite the contrary, that the mass media purposefully influences people’s opinions and beliefs in society. This would clearly cause a great deal of concern in society, thus in this essay I will critically, evaluate and discuss whether the mass media are biased in their representation of ethnic minorities in our society.
Despite the UK being considered a very tolerant and accepting country, many social commentators have pointed out several problems with the way ethnic minorities are represented. In fact due to the amount of interest in this area of sociology there is a substantial amount of research and data has been collected. Many studies that have pointed out and highlighted several issues with the way the media represent ethnic minorities. In a survey conducted by the BBC in 2002, 75% of people questioned felt that Ethnic Minorities were often under-represented or negatively stereotyped by the media. In addition to this Van Dijk (1991) conducted a detailed content analysis of 5 national newspapers and found that often negative language and behaviour was often associated with ethnic minorities. Van Dijk also points out that the media ignores the positive influence of ethnic minorities and cultures into British society and instead overemphasises the negatives. This would therefore seem to suggest that the mass media are biased in their representation of ethnic minorities through negative stereotyping in tabloid press and in the under-representation in television media.
In fact many sociologists have pointed out that it is a direct link between the negative stereotyping of ethnic minorities and the underachievement of afro-Caribbean students in education who are subsequently, the worst performing ethnic group within the education system. In particular a landmark study conducted by Gillborn and Youdell (2000) found that teachers had racialised expectations of black pupils, and saw their behaviour as threatening. This study was highly acclaimed and seems to suggest that teacher racism is one of the main factors affecting Afro-Caribbean student’s achievement in education. This would therefore seem to suggest that the negative media stereotyping reinforces the racialised expectations teachers have. Thus the poor achievement of black afro-Caribbean students could be directly linked with the negative media stereotyping.
The media has also caused ‘moral panics’ – a term first coined by Stan Cohen in 1973 – During the late 1970s, there was a moral panic on the ‘black mugger’. This moral panic caused widespread concern and fear amongst the white population, and thus would be a good example of how the mass media negatively stereotyped ethnic minorities in the past. Further evidence of the effects the media has on its audiences is shown in the study conducted by Hartman and Husband (1974). They found that children from high ethnic minority backgrounds often rejected the negative media stereotyping, as they had firsthand experience of ethnic minority people, whereas children from low ethnic minority backgrounds simply accepted the negative media content as they had little or no firsthand experience and simply accepted the negative media content. This would seem to show the sheer power and effect that the mass media has upon its audiences.
Marxist commentators would argue that media editors and journalists actively choose what content is published and shown (Gate-keeping), and thus, the media perpetuates stereotypical and negative views towards ethnic minorities. This helps keep the ethnic minorities subordinate and in favour of a capitalist system that is against their interests. In addition to this, Marxists point out that audiences of the mass media are inactive and instead accept the views that are shown to them. This is similar to what the Glasgow University Media Group’s study in 1982, which found that the media negatively stereotyped the lower classes in order to keep them subdued and supporting the capitalist system. Marxists point out that the reason the media negatively stereotypes ethnic minorities is because news owners, editors and journalists are often white, middle aged and middle class and thus simply cannot relate to other ethnic cultures. The Marxist perspective would therefore accept that the media are biased in their representation of ethnic minorities as the subordination of ethnic minorities helps ensure the dominant class’ power, and thus ensures the dominant class control and own the media allowing them to represent ethnic minorities in a negative and subordinate way reinforcing this stereotype.
Pluralists on the other hand would disagree with this viewpoint. They would argue that the media simply reflects the opinion of the audience. If popular views and ideas were not broadcast, then often media companies would lose business and even risk closing down altogether. Thus due to the intense competition, media companies have to conform to what the general public desire. Thus if there is a negative stereotyping of ethnic minorities, it is not because of the media perpetuates this view but instead reflects public opinion. In fact a survey conducted in 1999 found that the amount of ethnic minorities shown in television programmes was significantly higher than the percentage of ethnic minorities living in the UK. The survey found that ethnic minorities accounted for a total of 7% of ethnic minorities in the UK whereas in the television media, 42% of characters on television programmes were of an ethnic minority. Thus Pluralists would argue that the media does not under-represent ethnic minorities and instead over-represents ethnic minorities. Moreover, Pluralists note that the media’s representation of ethnic minorities has improved in recent years. Thus the Pluralist standpoint would disagree and reject that argument of the media portraying ethnic minorities in a biased way.
Despite this, numerous pluralist viewpoints have been criticised for their naïve approach and view towards the mass media. Many sociologists have pointed out that the Pluralist viewpoint underestimates the power of the media owners, and journalists, and overestimates the autonomy of the audience. Marxist viewpoints on the other hand have been criticised for being too negative and over-critical of the media and its owners.
It would be reasonable to conclude, that the media, is biased in its representation of ethnic minorities. This area of sociology is a popular and widely debated topic and there have been several studies which have proven and shown that the media appears to be negatively stereotyping ethnic minorities – either deliberately, or unconsciously, and the underachievement of black-afro-Caribbean students seems to be strongly linked with the way the way the media presents ethnic minorities. In addition to this, many studies have pointed out that the media seems to also negatively stereotype people of particular genders, class’, disabilities and ages and therefore is not only specific to ethnic origin. Thus it does appear that the media has negatively stereotyped ethnic minorities. However, Many of the landmark studies were conducted in the previous 40 years or so. Many sociologists would therefore point out that Sociology is a time-sensitive subject and thus, we cannot totally accept the findings of the research and apply them to today. Many would take the ‘March of Progress’ view towards media representations and that through time people are becoming more aware and critical of negative media stereotyping. There has been an enormous social change over the last 30 years with various legislations passed protecting minority ethnic people’s rights, and further changes will undoubtedly take place in the future – making the media and the society more equal in its representations of minorities.
But what do you guys think? Would this be like a model answer or not?
If not why not? :L Sorry i just like having feedback my teacher doesnt talk an aweful lot. Also any ideas whats coming up in the exam?
Outline and assess the view that the media are biased in their representation of ethnic minorities.
The mass media are a very powerful organisation within our society. In fact several Sociologists argue that the mass media directly affects and shapes our beliefs and opinions through repeated exposure to print media news etc. In fact this area of Sociology has been widely debated and discussed and is a topic of growing popularity in recent. Thus there are many differing views towards the way the media represents individuals in our society. Pluralists for example argue that the mass media only reflects public opinion, with no hidden ideological messages, whereas, Marxist commentators argue quite the contrary, that the mass media purposefully influences people’s opinions and beliefs in society. This would clearly cause a great deal of concern in society, thus in this essay I will critically, evaluate and discuss whether the mass media are biased in their representation of ethnic minorities in our society.
Despite the UK being considered a very tolerant and accepting country, many social commentators have pointed out several problems with the way ethnic minorities are represented. In fact due to the amount of interest in this area of sociology there is a substantial amount of research and data has been collected. Many studies that have pointed out and highlighted several issues with the way the media represent ethnic minorities. In a survey conducted by the BBC in 2002, 75% of people questioned felt that Ethnic Minorities were often under-represented or negatively stereotyped by the media. In addition to this Van Dijk (1991) conducted a detailed content analysis of 5 national newspapers and found that often negative language and behaviour was often associated with ethnic minorities. Van Dijk also points out that the media ignores the positive influence of ethnic minorities and cultures into British society and instead overemphasises the negatives. This would therefore seem to suggest that the mass media are biased in their representation of ethnic minorities through negative stereotyping in tabloid press and in the under-representation in television media.
In fact many sociologists have pointed out that it is a direct link between the negative stereotyping of ethnic minorities and the underachievement of afro-Caribbean students in education who are subsequently, the worst performing ethnic group within the education system. In particular a landmark study conducted by Gillborn and Youdell (2000) found that teachers had racialised expectations of black pupils, and saw their behaviour as threatening. This study was highly acclaimed and seems to suggest that teacher racism is one of the main factors affecting Afro-Caribbean student’s achievement in education. This would therefore seem to suggest that the negative media stereotyping reinforces the racialised expectations teachers have. Thus the poor achievement of black afro-Caribbean students could be directly linked with the negative media stereotyping.
The media has also caused ‘moral panics’ – a term first coined by Stan Cohen in 1973 – During the late 1970s, there was a moral panic on the ‘black mugger’. This moral panic caused widespread concern and fear amongst the white population, and thus would be a good example of how the mass media negatively stereotyped ethnic minorities in the past. Further evidence of the effects the media has on its audiences is shown in the study conducted by Hartman and Husband (1974). They found that children from high ethnic minority backgrounds often rejected the negative media stereotyping, as they had firsthand experience of ethnic minority people, whereas children from low ethnic minority backgrounds simply accepted the negative media content as they had little or no firsthand experience and simply accepted the negative media content. This would seem to show the sheer power and effect that the mass media has upon its audiences.
Marxist commentators would argue that media editors and journalists actively choose what content is published and shown (Gate-keeping), and thus, the media perpetuates stereotypical and negative views towards ethnic minorities. This helps keep the ethnic minorities subordinate and in favour of a capitalist system that is against their interests. In addition to this, Marxists point out that audiences of the mass media are inactive and instead accept the views that are shown to them. This is similar to what the Glasgow University Media Group’s study in 1982, which found that the media negatively stereotyped the lower classes in order to keep them subdued and supporting the capitalist system. Marxists point out that the reason the media negatively stereotypes ethnic minorities is because news owners, editors and journalists are often white, middle aged and middle class and thus simply cannot relate to other ethnic cultures. The Marxist perspective would therefore accept that the media are biased in their representation of ethnic minorities as the subordination of ethnic minorities helps ensure the dominant class’ power, and thus ensures the dominant class control and own the media allowing them to represent ethnic minorities in a negative and subordinate way reinforcing this stereotype.
Pluralists on the other hand would disagree with this viewpoint. They would argue that the media simply reflects the opinion of the audience. If popular views and ideas were not broadcast, then often media companies would lose business and even risk closing down altogether. Thus due to the intense competition, media companies have to conform to what the general public desire. Thus if there is a negative stereotyping of ethnic minorities, it is not because of the media perpetuates this view but instead reflects public opinion. In fact a survey conducted in 1999 found that the amount of ethnic minorities shown in television programmes was significantly higher than the percentage of ethnic minorities living in the UK. The survey found that ethnic minorities accounted for a total of 7% of ethnic minorities in the UK whereas in the television media, 42% of characters on television programmes were of an ethnic minority. Thus Pluralists would argue that the media does not under-represent ethnic minorities and instead over-represents ethnic minorities. Moreover, Pluralists note that the media’s representation of ethnic minorities has improved in recent years. Thus the Pluralist standpoint would disagree and reject that argument of the media portraying ethnic minorities in a biased way.
Despite this, numerous pluralist viewpoints have been criticised for their naïve approach and view towards the mass media. Many sociologists have pointed out that the Pluralist viewpoint underestimates the power of the media owners, and journalists, and overestimates the autonomy of the audience. Marxist viewpoints on the other hand have been criticised for being too negative and over-critical of the media and its owners.
It would be reasonable to conclude, that the media, is biased in its representation of ethnic minorities. This area of sociology is a popular and widely debated topic and there have been several studies which have proven and shown that the media appears to be negatively stereotyping ethnic minorities – either deliberately, or unconsciously, and the underachievement of black-afro-Caribbean students seems to be strongly linked with the way the way the media presents ethnic minorities. In addition to this, many studies have pointed out that the media seems to also negatively stereotype people of particular genders, class’, disabilities and ages and therefore is not only specific to ethnic origin. Thus it does appear that the media has negatively stereotyped ethnic minorities. However, Many of the landmark studies were conducted in the previous 40 years or so. Many sociologists would therefore point out that Sociology is a time-sensitive subject and thus, we cannot totally accept the findings of the research and apply them to today. Many would take the ‘March of Progress’ view towards media representations and that through time people are becoming more aware and critical of negative media stereotyping. There has been an enormous social change over the last 30 years with various legislations passed protecting minority ethnic people’s rights, and further changes will undoubtedly take place in the future – making the media and the society more equal in its representations of minorities.
Omg this is soo useful!! I quitr like this topic... Dnt forget to bring in interactionists as makes the essay stick out an' all. so ive been told 
oh yeaa, forgot all about those cheecky buggers - tehe thanks for the feedback!
Original post by Lostmoon9
The exam technique is that you have at-least 4 Theorist and within each of the theories, you should have 3-4 studies!
Is that all? What about the AO1 points background information on the subject and why its important? Do these not matter. I cant help but feel just having theorists and studies would make a very short essay wouldnt it?
Original post by Lostmoon9
The exam technique is that you have at-least 4 Theorist and within each of the theories, you should have 3-4 studies!
For each question or for both ?
im confused.com 
Which topics are you guys most confident with?
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