* Explain and briefly evaluate the view that media representations of old age are negative.
OCR
A Level
2021
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Essay Outline: Media Representations of Old Age
This essay will explore the view that media representations of old age are predominantly negative, drawing on sociological perspectives to analyze this claim. It will then evaluate the validity of this view, considering both negative and positive portrayals and their implications.
I. Negative Representations of Old Age
A. Stereotypical Representations (Landis)
Discuss how media often relies on negative stereotypes of the elderly, including: * **Lonely:** Depiction of isolated, widowed individuals. * **Unable to Learn:** Portrayal as mentally declining, unable to adapt to modern technology. * **Ill Health and Dependency:** Focus on physical limitations and reliance on others. * **Burdensome:** Representing older individuals as a drain on society's resources.
B. Invisibility (Cuddy and Fiske)
Analyze the lack of visibility of older individuals in media, particularly in leading roles or storylines. Explain how this invisibility reinforces the idea that older people are irrelevant or unimportant.
C. Lack of Balanced Portrayal (Milner, Van Norman and Milner)
Examine the absence of diverse and balanced portrayals of aging, emphasizing the lack of representation of healthy, active, and vibrant older individuals. Discuss how this imbalance perpetuates negative stereotypes.
II. Contrasting Trends and Positive Representations
A. Increasing Positive Representations (Carrigan and Szmigin)
Discuss the rise of positive representations related to the "grey pound," highlighting the growing economic power of older consumers and the potential for positive portrayals in advertising and marketing.
B. Active Aging (Clarke and Warren)
Examine the increasing focus on active aging, highlighting the representation of older individuals who remain engaged in society, work, and social activities. Analyze the positive implications of these portrayals for challenging stereotypes.
C. The Oldest Old (McKinsey)
Discuss the emerging representations of the "oldest old," individuals over 80. Analyze how these portrayals challenge assumptions about aging and the potential for positive representations of aging at all stages of life.
III. Evaluation and Conclusion
Evaluate the claim that media representations of old age are predominantly negative. Discuss: * The continued presence of negative stereotypes and invisibility. * The growth of positive representations and their impact on challenging negative perceptions. * The influence of social and cultural factors on media representations, including shifting demographics and changing attitudes towards aging.
Conclude by summarizing the argument and considering the future of media representations of aging. Acknowledge the complexities of the issue and the ongoing need for critical analysis of media portrayals.
Note:
This outline is a starting point and can be adapted to include additional factors and perspectives relevant to the essay topic. Remember to provide specific examples from media representations and sociological theories to support your arguments.
Media Representations of Old Age
The media plays a significant role in shaping societal perceptions of various social groups, including the elderly. The view that media representations of old age are predominantly negative is a subject of ongoing debate within sociology. This essay will explore the validity of this view, examining both the prevalence of negative stereotypes and the emergence of more nuanced portrayals.
Numerous sociological studies have highlighted the negative and often stereotypical ways in which older people are represented in the media. Landis, for example, argues that the elderly are frequently depicted as "one-dimensional" characters, reduced to simplistic and often negative stereotypes such as being frail, forgetful, or grumpy. This tendency to homogenize a diverse population group contributes to a narrow and often inaccurate understanding of the realities of ageing.
Furthermore, research by Cuddy and Fiske suggests that older people are often largely invisible in the media. When compared to other age groups, they are underrepresented in both quantity and the diversity of roles they occupy. This lack of visibility further reinforces the notion that old age is a marginal and insignificant stage of life.
Milner, Van Norman, and Milner argue that the media often fails to provide a balanced portrayal of ageing, focusing disproportionately on the challenges and limitations associated with later life. This can contribute to ageism, as it reinforces negative attitudes and prejudices towards older people.
Countering the Negative: Positive Representations
However, it is important to acknowledge that the media landscape is evolving, and there is evidence to suggest that more positive and diverse representations of ageing are emerging. Biggs, for instance, highlights the contrasting trends in media portrayals of ageing, noting that alongside the persistence of negative stereotypes, there is a growing trend towards representing older people as active, engaged, and capable individuals.
This shift can be partly attributed to the increasing economic power of older consumers, often referred to as the "grey pound." As Carrigan and Szmigin suggest, the media is becoming more responsive to the needs and interests of this demographic, leading to an increase in positive portrayals that resonate with their experiences and aspirations.
Examples of this can be seen in the rise of media content specifically targeting older audiences, such as the magazine "Saga" and television programmes celebrating "active ageing" (Clarke and Warren). Furthermore, there is a growing recognition of the diversity within the older population itself, with representations increasingly acknowledging the experiences of the "oldest old" (McInsey), a group often overlooked in mainstream media.
The work of Featherstone and Hepworth further supports this notion of changing representations. They argue that the media is beginning to reflect a shift towards a more fluid and individualized understanding of ageing, moving away from rigid stereotypes and embracing the diverse experiences and identities of older people.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while it is evident that negative stereotypes of old age persist in the media, it is an oversimplification to suggest that all representations are negative. The media landscape is complex and constantly evolving, and there is a growing trend towards more positive, nuanced, and diverse portrayals of ageing. This shift is driven by a number of factors, including the increasing economic power of older consumers and a growing recognition of the diversity and agency within the older population itself. While challenges remain in combating ageism and ensuring accurate and respectful representations of older people, these evolving trends offer a more optimistic outlook for the future of media portrayals of ageing.
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Possible Factors/Evidence for Candidates
The following list is indicative of possible factors/evidence that candidates may refer to but is not prescriptive or exhaustive:
- Represented as 'one-dimensional' and based on stereotypes (Landis)
- Largely invisible in the media (Cuddy and Fiske)
- Lack of balanced portrayal of ageing (Milner, Van Norman and Milner).
- Contrasting trends in representations of ageing (Biggs)
- Victor: 4 stereotypes: lonely, unable to learn, ill health and dependency
- Any other relevant response.
The selected knowledge should be directly related to the specific question.
Possible Factors/Evidence for Evaluation
The following list is indicative of possible factors/evidence that candidates may refer to in evaluation but is not prescriptive or exhaustive:
- Increase in positive portrayals linked to the increase of the "grey pound" (Carrigan and Szmigin)
- Positive representations - Active ageing Clarke and Warren and Oldest old (McKinsey)
- Changing representations – Featherstone & Hepworth
- Any other relevant response
Assessment Criteria
Knowledge and Understanding
Excellent: The candidate demonstrates an excellent knowledge and understanding of a range of sociological material; the response is well developed and substantiated with sociological evidence. There is a well-developed line of reasoning which is clear and logically structured.
Good: The candidate demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of either a range of sociological material or some material in detail. There is some sociological material but it is likely to be underdeveloped for both ways or the response is likely to be uneven. There is a line of reasoning presented with some structure. The information presented is in the most-part relevant and supported by some evidence.
Basic: The candidate demonstrates a basic knowledge and understanding of some sociological material. The response lacks range and detail. The response may lack clarity at times and contain some inaccuracies. The response may be partial and undeveloped and/or generalised. The information has some relevance and is presented with basic structure. The information is supported by basic evidence.
Limited: The candidate demonstrates a limited knowledge and understanding of sociological material. Very little relevant sociological material is presented; the response contains considerable inaccuracy. The information is basic and communicated in an unstructured way. The information is supported by limited evidence and the relationship to the evidence may not be clear.
No Relevant Knowledge: No relevant sociological knowledge or understanding.
Application
Excellent: The candidate demonstrates an excellent ability to apply relevant sociological material. The material is consistently and frequently related to the question.
Good: The candidate demonstrates a good ability to apply sociological material. The material is generally relevant but is explicitly related to the question only occasionally.
Basic: The candidate demonstrates a basic ability to apply sociological material. The material is related to the question mainly implicitly and lacks focus on the question. The response may be generalised.
Limited: The candidate demonstrates a limited ability to apply sociological material. The material is tangential to the question and of marginal relevance.
No Relevant Application: No relevant application.
Analysis and Evaluation
Excellent: The candidate demonstrates an excellent ability to analyse and evaluate sociological material. There will be at least one developed evaluation point, supported with sociological evidence. The candidate may reach a critical and reasoned conclusion.
Good: The candidate demonstrates a good ability to analyse and evaluate sociological material. There is some analysis and evaluation points but these may be underdeveloped. There may be a tendency towards juxtaposition of other theories without specific links made to the question. The candidate may reach a critical but brief conclusion.
Basic: The candidate demonstrates a basic ability to analyse and evaluate. Evaluation points are likely to be anecdotal, unsubstantiated and/or undeveloped or completely through juxtaposition. The evaluation may lack clarity and contain some inaccuracies / confusion. If present, the conclusion is likely to be summative.
Limited: The candidate demonstrates a limited ability to analyse and evaluate. Only implicit or tangential analysis or evaluation is present. There is unlikely to be a conclusion.
No Relevant Analysis or Evaluation: No relevant analysis or evaluation.