Genre can be interpreted via external signs or internal meanings. What are these categories of genre called?

Question

I read this once in a film studies course, but no longer remember the specific terms or any relevent quotes. It's important to me because I interpret genre through the lens of comparative mythology, whereas most tend to focus on things like visual style.

For example, the vampire genre in my view speaks to Jungian archetypes, and therefore the vampire does not need to have pointy teeth; but others might say the vampire genre is strictly defined by monsters with pointy teeth and all subtext is merely stylistic choice or "flourish" within the genre. These are very contrasting views.

But it's difficult to speak intelligently on the subject when I can't remember what these two opposing views of genre are called.

Answer 1

I think your question extends to a contrast between psycological implications and psychological implications. a vampire may be a psychological concept-not necessarily needing pointy teeth, but an idea, and can be represented/interpreted in many ways. A visual interpretation of a vampire requires, among other traits, pointy teeth, and is a creature/character that anybody can identify as "vampire".

Answer 2

Well, I didn't take that course, however .... Two conditions struck me immediately 1) pointy teeth are a concrete sensible difference as symptom or sign for identification (who is dangerous and why) 2) archetypes or stereotypes require an abstract historical knowledge of the sensible symbolic differences for each character, that is why stereotypes are almost indispensable (needed) when it comes to communicating to the general populace or public.

Of course music now plays a big part in foreshadowing the scenes character. I guess concrete versus formal symbolism.

Genre could be the assumed motive as end result for the product. This could as simple as 'horrify', or 'warning' or this is 'real life', but then the specific differences and similarities could be arguably a demand for more genre labels... The moral or this story is 'whatever works'.