Reality Television
Television: the ever evolving medium:
Television's growth as an edutainment medium has been phenomenal. In societies that are more developed, TV adores the living room of almost every household. TV viewing has been the leading recreational activity for majority of population with U.S. household reported to be glued to their TV sets for almost seven hours daily on an average. Even though TV ownership in Asia and Latin America are low compared to U.S., these continents and Africa as well has been targeted as the important regions of growth of global TV industry during the 21st century. In the public domain, TV has come to occupy a venue for political debate, religious evangelism and the exchange of 'news' as also an important medium for entertainment. In the household sphere, TV has been considered as the quasi-altar during the single channel regime around which the family used to converge and the forerunner of domestic fragmentation in the present multi-channel era as everybody slips into different rooms to watch their favorite channel in private. (Casey; Casey, et. al, 26)
What is Reality TV?
Annually, TV networks compete to create the latest in content. Fresh shows guarantee high drama, suspense and comedy while trying to regulate what is morally and socially acceptable, enjoyable, thrilling and entertaining all at the same time. Fulfilling all these benchmarks as per the rising ratings is the realty-based TV. Realty TV is a class of programming wherein the daily routines of "real life" people as against fictional characters are captured by the cameras. Viewers get glued to the enthralling plotlines and routines drama shown on their screens. Three major categories are there in the reality-based shows. These are game shows - Survivors, dating shows- The Bachelor, and talent shows-American Idol. The popularity of these shows is because viewers get to see ordinary people stealing the limelight, instead of monotonously seeing film stars. Besides, the element of being human that urges people to gossip on the topic revolving around their lives of their friends, family and complete strangers also encourages an audience for reality TV. An opportunity to peep into other people's lives which is sometimes interesting and based on this theory MTV produced "The Real World" that is often credited to be the pioneer of reality TV shows. Seven complete strangers are chosen to live together, and viewers watch to discover the happenings when people with varied backgrounds and temperament are left to live closely. (Frisby, 7)
Effect of Reality TV on society and effect on popular American culture:
Societal effect can be understood by drawing from the social comparison theory which postulates that people have an impetus or a need to compare their capabilities and opinion to other people. Leon Festinger coined the social comparison theory and spearheaded research in this field and regarded that people who are unsure regarding their potential and views will tend to evaluate themselves by juxtaposing with others. Comparisons made with others who are superior to or in better conditions than oneself are pointed out as 'upward comparison'. People involved in upward comparison might learn from others, get inspiration from their feats and get high motivation to attain similar goals. Upward comparison suggested by research is drawn up when a person is motivated to change or surmount difficulties. Self-improvement has been the primary effect of an upward comparison as the targets viewed on TV serve as role models, educating and motivating people to attain or overcome similar circumstances. Similarly, social comparison involving a target who is inferior or incapable is given as downward comparison. Its fundamental ideal is that people feel better regarding their own situation and improve their subjective welfare while making comparison with that of others who are worse off. This seemingly happens as 'downward comparisons' help people cope with personal problems by permitting them to visualize themselves and their problems in an increasingly positive light through the realization that there are other people who experience more hard situations. (Frisby, 7)
Reality TV has a bad for the society because the show centre is on what is known as the 'guilt pleasure syndrome'. According to sociology professor, Mark Fishman of Brooklyn College who has completed a study on reality TV, it encourages people to take delight on the misfortunes of others. It is a guilty pleasure. One feels that one must not be watching. It's all the time been in good taste to overlook these matters. It is moral envelope which is being pushed. We appear to be in a modern age of making aware what should not have...
Reality TV Disclosure and familiarity between the audience and program in reality TV With the prevalence of reality television programming, mass media has become more intrusive and real to the audience: what with the inclusion of so-called 'ordinary people,' audiences have become more acquainted with the rudiments of TV program creation and dynamics. Indeed, the most appealing quality of reality TV programs is that audiences are able to realize the possibility that
Then, a fourth reason is that reality shows can sometimes reveal situations of success, which in turn inspire and motivate the audiences to change their lives for the better. Examples of such shows include Dr. 90210, in which plastic surgeons operate on patients, change their appearance and as such increase their self-esteem, or the several shows revealing people fighting, and beating, obesity (Goodman). These types of reality shows set the
Individuals watching these types of rejections receive guilty pleasure from something they feel that they shouldn't be watching (Reality television). Also, relating to characters on reality shows helps people to feel better about their own lives and problems (DeWall, 2009). Yes, according to another survey, the ongoing popularity of reality television is due to these shows, unlike other shows such as news programs or sitcoms, allowing the viewers to imagine
Some shows are more palatable than others. The contest shows such as "America's Top Model," or "American Idol" are in general less about interpersonal problems and more about the competition. However, shows like "Nanny 911" or the various wife-swapping shows depict so much screaming and shouting that they fail to be enjoyable to watch. "Survivor" and "The Amazing Race" include a lot of bickering and most likely the editors of
It is true that reality television programs have effectively grabbed the public, including the kids attentions. While interest groups do not believe that violence and sex in television programs have any effect on the public, especially kids, the research has shown that the programming contents are highly effective in influencing the behavior of kids. For example, in watching Springer show, many children think that shouting, disrespecting, abusing is common, and
Reality Television: A Media Psychological Literature Review Media Psychology The research will examine and study aspects of reality television programming from a media psychological perspective and with media psychological methods. The following literature review serves as a context within which the reader and the research will consider the topics. The aim is to outline current and relevant knowledge of the affects of psychological affects of reality television program upon viewers/consumers. Through the
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