Collective identity

 Collective identity and representing ourselves: blog tasks


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?'
  
Didn't let me access it 

2) List three brands you are happy to be associated with and explain how they reflect your sense of identity.
  • Bershka - I love shopping there for new clothes and it helps me try out new ways to style myself 
  • Nike - I love all their trainers as they help me play all my sports
  • Lush - love all of their hair and body products
3) Do you agree with the view that modern media is all about 'style over substance'? What does this expression mean?

suggests that modern media often prioritises aesthetics, presentation, or appeal over content or amount. Some media creators prioritise substance and quality over flashy visuals. However, in today's media landscape, there is certainly a tendency for style to sometimes overshadow substance.

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

  • Modern society is flooded with a lot of media messages, images, and information.
  • This leads to a blurring of boundaries between reality and media representations.
  • Individuals become passive consumers of these media representations, losing touch with the authenticity of lived experience.
  • Hyperreality emerges, where simulated versions of reality become more interesting than the reality itself.
  • Baudrillard argues that this saturation results in a loss of meaning.
5) 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?

I don't usually post pictures or have any social media so I can't really answer that question.

6) 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?

Data mining is the process of extracting patterns or knowledge from large sets of data. Whether it's an invasion of privacy depends on how data is collected, used, and whether individuals have consented to it.

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.

  1. Multiple Influences: Gauntlett suggests that identity is shaped by a combination of factors, including media, culture, relationships, and personal experiences.

  2. Creative Process: He views identity as an ongoing and creative process rather than a fixed one.

  3. Media Representation: Gauntlett highlights the significance of media representations in shaping identity, but he also the agency of individuals.

  4. Self-expression: He promotes self-expression as a means of exploring and expressing one's identity.

  5. Social Connection: Gauntlett's theory emphasises the social aspect of identity formation.


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.

Collective identity refers to the sense of belonging and shared characteristics that individuals within a group or community feel. It's formed through shared experiences, values, traditions, language, and symbols. It shapes how individuals see themselves in relation to others and influences their behaviours and interactions within the group.

2) Complete the task on the factsheet (page 1) - write a list of as many things as you can think of that represent Britain. What do they have in common? Have you represented the whole of Britain or just one aspect/viewpoint?

  • Union Jack flag
  • Buckingham Palace
  • Red telephone boxes
  • Double-decker buses
  • Big Ben
  • Fish and chips
  • The Beatles
  • Shakespeare
  • Stonehenge
  • London Eye
  • Tea and scones
  • Royal Family
  • Rugby and football
  • Rainy weather
  • London Underground
  • Harry Potter
  • Scottish kilts
  • Welsh dragons
  • Pubs and beer

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

"James May's Top Toys" offers a nostalgic representation of Britain by revisiting classic toys from the past, reliving memories of childhood and celebrating the significance of these beloved toys in British society.

4) How has new technology changed collective identity?

New technology has expanded collective identity by connecting people across the world, allowing them to form communities and share experiences based on common interests, values, and identities.

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

"creative, pick 'n' mix identity"

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

The Shaun of the Dead Facebook group talks about Henry Jenkins' theory of interpretive communities online by bringing together fans who share a common interest in the film, facilitating discussions, and collectively interpreting its themes, characters, and cultural significance within a community setting.

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