Definition of Representation: The description of portrayal of someone or

something is a particular way.

THEORISTS
Lucans theory (psychoanalysis and the mirror) looks at how a
sense of identity can be developed by seeing their reflection as
how others perceive them, thus modifying their conscious to see
their reflection differently in order to satisfy their perceptions to
how others see them.
Gerbner identified a mean world syndrome that affected
heavy TV viewers. Meaning the more TV you watch the more
likely you are to view the outside world as a hostile and
dangerous place.
Another theory of representation is Bell Hooks (pen name):
interconnectivity of race, class and gender. Her real name was
Gloria Jean Watkins and her first major work Aint I a woman?
Lack, women and femininity, was written in 1981 and focuses on
the perpetuation of systems of oppression and domination in the
media; paying particular attention to the devaluation of black
womanhood. The idea of lack or otherness refers to the way
that women/ ethnic minorities are usually represented as other.
Their primary purpose is simply to be other than the norm (usually
a white male hero).


How do these theories link to the horror genre?

Lucans theory looks at the representation and perception of ones self.
This can be linked to the horror genre, as horror films can deal with
identity and a twisted sense of reality for example delusions and
hallucinations of extra-terrestrial beings/ ghosts etc
Gerbners theory is supported by the horror genre because watching
horror films and horror texts can petrify audiences, making them
frightened to deal with the real world if they believe the horror film was
representation of true life down to the dotted i. They may develop
irrational fears of monsters, vampires, ghouls and other make-believe
horror creatures.
Horror films are often criticized for having the only minority on screen,
killed first. Also another criticism of horror films is that universally pretty
women and ethnic minorities are placed on screen as a means of
diversifying the cast. This may not be true to all horror films but
audiences sometimes make this generalisation. This generalisation can
be linked to Bell Hooks theory that women and ethnic minorities are
primarily used to represent other.