Representation theory
Notes: Richard Dyer: Stereotyping and power Richard Dyer's theory suggests that the complexity and variety of a group is reduced to a few key characteristics. An exaggerated version of these characteristics is then applied to everyone in the group. He states that those with power stereotype those with less power. Therefore, we have stereotypes of non-white people, poor people and women... but not so many of white, middle class men. Medhurst: shorthand that carries value judgements Andy Medhurst suggests stereotyping is shorthand for identification. This means we use stereotypes to tell audiences a lot in a short space of time. However, this can carry value judgements and therefore be very negative for the representation of minority groups. Medhurst gave the example of the representation of gay men: "The image of the screaming queen does not just mean 'all gay men are like that', it means 'all gay men are like that and aren't they awful', whi