Reality Television and the Affect on Society

Reality Television and the Affect on Society 

By Sarah Wagner

In recent years, the popularity of reality television has significantly increased. One reason that people enjoy watching reality TV is because they enjoy watching the drama in someone else’s life. For competition shows, people enjoy the chance to participate and to watch the competition play out. This popularity leaves us to wonder, what is the effect of reality TV on teen behavior?

Television in general contains a rampant amount of violence and aggression, but many believe       that the harmful effects are worse on the           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_hXCnmhI6E
viewer, if it is a reality show. The reason for this is because that many people believe that reality television is much more realistic than it actually is. This fact makes it much more likely that people would attempt to imitate the behavior. The reality of reality television is that many things are staged or set up in order to make it more dramatic. Also certain scenes are put in that contain more drama, while others are taken out. Producers purposefully create reality shows to contain more drama than there actually would be in real life.  

Usually on television the only violence or aggression that gets included in the ratings is physical violence; however, there is much more than physical aggression that gets shown. On reality shows the most common kinds of aggression are verbal and relational aggression. In the study “Does Reality TV Backbite”, the authors defined the different types of aggression. Physical aggression was defined as when one or more people caused physical harm to one or more people both directly and indirectly. Verbal aggression is defined as using words to directly and intentionally harm another person. Finally relational aggression is defined as using relationships or knowledge of social structures to harm another person both directly and indirectly.

On the television shows much of their behavior depicts at least some kind of aggression. It depicts aggression as something that is necessary in order to get ahead. There are no consequences or judgment for the way that people act. Constant name calling, snarky comments, and a steady flow of rumors or gossiping seem to be the norm. This can cause viewers to expect more of that behavior, and participate in it more, in real life. In competition shows, public humiliation seemed to be the main theme. Many sociologists believe that competition television shows have a greater effect on the individual, because it asks it viewers to participate through voting. It has been found that voting people off is an act of relational aggression. Also this participation blurs the line between the television show and its participants and reality, which makes the behavior much more likely to be imitated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVR_JcZ1o7s 

The most common behavior that reality shows promote is the stereotypical mean girl. They portray girls as the more common relational aggressors and they portray it as a thrill to be mean. This portrayal is not an accurate, because in reality girls and guys are equally the relational aggressors. This depiction of mean girls can have a significant impact on teenage girls. According to a survey by the Girls Scouts Research Institution, girls who watch more reality television are more likely to have personalities that value lying and deception in order to get ahead. They also expect more drama in their life and believe that they must compete with other girls to get a guys attention. Lastly they are more likely to believe that gossiping is a normal part of relationships.

The effect of reality TV on an individual largely has to do with the age of the viewer. Older viewers, college-age and above, tend to be less affected by the behavior that is portrayed. This is because they are able to tell the difference between reality and television and are able to dissect what they have seen. Younger viewers, especially those who are younger than middle school age, are more affected by the behavior that is seen. The reason for this is because they are unable to tell the difference between the shows and reality. Regardless of age, reality TV affects a viewer's cognitive scripts, which in turn impacts their behavior to make aggression a more likely response in many situations. It also creates a sense of justification for aggressive behavior.

Because of the effects on the individuals, society is greatly affected. Reality TV creates a more competitive society and one that accepts aggression, instead of punishing it. It instills the value that you have to be pushy and use lying and deception in order to become successful. Also it allows a decrease in morals. Humiliation of others is seen as something that can gain one more power and a sense of superiority. Overall it makes society more competitive and creates an attitude that it is acceptable to do whatever necessary to get ahead in life. 

Sources: 

Coyne, Sarah, Simon Robinson, and David Nelson. "Does Reality TV Backbite? Physical, Verbal, and Relational Aggression in Reality Television Programs." Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media 54.2 (2010): 282-298. Ebsco Host. Web. 8 Feb. 2012. 
 

·         Hsu, Jeremy. "Reality TV proves meaner than fiction - Health - Behavior - msnbc.com." msnbc.com - Breaking news, science and tech news, world news, US news, local news- msnbc.com. N.p., 13 June 2010. Web. 11 Feb. 2012. <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37645890/ns/health-behavior/t/reality-tv-proves-meaner-fiction/>

·         LIEBERMAN, DAVID. "Report: Reality TV Encourages "Mean Girl" Behavior In Teens - Deadline.com." Hollywood Entertainment Breaking News - Deadline.com/hollywood. N.p., 13 Oct. 2011. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. <http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/report-reality-tv-encourages-mean-girl-behavior-in-teens/>. 

·         Mills, Nicolaus . "Television and the Politics of Humiliation." Dissent 51.3 (2004): 79-81. Ebsco Host. Web. 8 Feb. 2012.