Collective identity:
Through media people can gain a sense of belonging to a group.There is satisfaction through this sense of belonging,which is more important than an individuals own identity.
To what extent does the cover of this magazine demonstrate Gauntlett's 'collective identity' theory?
Applying Gauntlets theory of collective identity to this magazine cover,the audience may realise that there are many other people like them.In Men's Health magazine we can see a picture of a topless male model who is muscular.Next to this is a feature article titled "Scrawny to brawny".Some of the audience will be encouraged by this,as they may be skinny themselves.This also shows them that there are other people that are in the same situation as them,which will make them feel more comfortable with how they look.
Through purchasing this magazine the audience may be rewarded with health tips.For example,one of the cover lines "Melt body-fat with sunshine" and "Ronaldo's body in seven steps".Therefore,audiences may be able to use this magazine to gain a sense of belonging with like-minded people,who are also health-conscious.Also,readers may be able to take information from this magazine and share with others that are apart of this collective group.
Magazine cover:Steven Gerrard
Main messages
He is a fierce competitor
He has a good work ethic
He has high aspirations
Based on this magazine cover I would agree that 'role models serve as navigation points as individuals steer their own personal routes through life’.Many people tend to try and emulate their role models in certain ways,as they are often people they aspire to be like.For example,many young kids,including myself,may want to play football in midfield because of Steven Gerrard.
Through media people can gain a sense of belonging to a group.There is satisfaction through this sense of belonging,which is more important than an individuals own identity.
To what extent does the cover of this magazine demonstrate Gauntlett's 'collective identity' theory?
Applying Gauntlets theory of collective identity to this magazine cover,the audience may realise that there are many other people like them.In Men's Health magazine we can see a picture of a topless male model who is muscular.Next to this is a feature article titled "Scrawny to brawny".Some of the audience will be encouraged by this,as they may be skinny themselves.This also shows them that there are other people that are in the same situation as them,which will make them feel more comfortable with how they look.
Through purchasing this magazine the audience may be rewarded with health tips.For example,one of the cover lines "Melt body-fat with sunshine" and "Ronaldo's body in seven steps".Therefore,audiences may be able to use this magazine to gain a sense of belonging with like-minded people,who are also health-conscious.Also,readers may be able to take information from this magazine and share with others that are apart of this collective group.
Magazine cover:Steven Gerrard
Main messages
He is a fierce competitor
He has a good work ethic
He has high aspirations
Based on this magazine cover I would agree that 'role models serve as navigation points as individuals steer their own personal routes through life’.Many people tend to try and emulate their role models in certain ways,as they are often people they aspire to be like.For example,many young kids,including myself,may want to play football in midfield because of Steven Gerrard.
Teddy - some interesting applications of the collective identity theory.
ReplyDeleteHowever - you say that people who are skinny might be comforted by the 'Scrawny to Brawny' article. I disagree. Wouldn't these 'skinny' people perhaps have their ideas about their body image negatively affected by this male on the cover - with a body type unattainable to a large percentage of the population? Also the word scrawny has negative connotations - not very reassurnig to thin people.
To improve - Convince me otherwise or change your POV.