How Reality Shows Effect Our Society Essay

Over the past few decades, all sorts of reality shows on television have gained great popularity. They are almost on all channels, and, according to psychologists, this phenomenon leaves a mark on the social and cultural life of a modern person.

Reality show is a TV genre, type of entertainment telecast and online broadcast (Manning, 2013). It shows actions of people in close to life situation. For a long time it shows (supposedly) natural life and interaction of an isolated group of characters in a particular setting. Reality shows declare freedom of participants’ behavior; it is believed that the situation is developing freely, without a predetermined script, which constitutes the “highlight” of reality show. Viewer is convinced that he is witnessing real scenes of life, not played out performance. Reality TV exploded in the early 2000’s, and still remains one of today’s most popular genres. In 1999, the most popular shows on TV were E.R., Friends and Frasier.  Since that many shows appeared and became extremely popular, for example in 2012 the most viewed reality programs were American Idol – Wednesday, American Idol – Thursday, and The Voice (Fahner, 2012).  Now new reality shows appear almost every day.

Reality shows are not an instrument of social change, but rather a reflection of certain changes in society. Relations between people are increasingly simplified. There are less conventions and taboo. Something that has looked shocking decade ago, now seems normal. One of the main reasons for the popularity of reality shows is exhaustion of old heroes, old stories and old formats. Reality television destroys myths. People in two or three days stop noticing that the camera is watching them. He is not always smart, not always beautiful, not always tidy, sometimes he gets angry. But reality show gives him a chance – a man from the province to become famous.

Reality shows are exceptionally popular with the audience now. Psychologists attribute this to the subconscious desire for “spying” for someone else’s life. Of course, there are also common factors that determine the popularity of any scandalous gear and soap operas: curiosity and desire for strong feelings, especially manifested by monotonous background of everyday life.

Critics argue that reality shows have a negative impact on the psyche of the audience, especially young people with more immature taste, character and beliefs: they activate morbid curiosity and take not quite adequate behavior of participants as a role model (Manning, 2013) . Organizers of the shows, in the pursuit of entertainment, are often on the brink of obscenity, and sometimes explicitly pass it, which can also adversely affect the morality of the audience, many of whom tend to accept the television images as a reference without question. In addition, mental state of participants also causes anxiety, as they have to live in an environment where every their move is recorded and can be shown to millions of viewers (Joannou, 2013).

It should be noted that psychiatrists and psychologists around the world mark increase in patients whose diagnosis sounds like “Truman syndrome”. This condition is characterized by the presence of delusions, which are expressed in the people’s conviction that their lives are secretly demonstrated in a reality show. Scientists emphasize that this disorder is the result of the influence of pop culture on the mental state of the individual and society as a whole.

Joel and Ian Gold in the journal “Cognitive neuropsychiatry” says that mentally healthy person can hardly imagine himself a participant of a reality show, but people who have the background to the development of schizophrenia or delusional disorder can become victims of a similar format television.

Researchers say that the thing is that reality shows often replicate life situation of an average person. Colors, forms, dialogs can resemble real life, and a person, who is watching TV, may have unconscious transference of reality show conditions in their own lives. People around treat such a man with a reasonable fear, as he certainly will express his ideas about happening around in the spirit of the reality show (Eis, 2013).

Ian Gold, professor of psychology and philosophy at the University of McGill, believes that reality shows that have the ability to turn strangers in reality into close, almost dependent on each other people, have a psychological impact on people with underlying problems in communicating with others in real world under normal circumstances (Cunningham, 2012).

Psychologist Vaughn Bell, who has been studying problems of mental disorders related to the Internet at King’s College, University of London, says that on the one hand popular culture, which is imposed on public using reality shows, talk shows, etc. has an impact on the psychological characteristics of a simple man who unconsciously seeks to copy popular stereotypes of behavior. But on the other hand – it’s just a catalyst of problems of lack of communication of modern man, which in most cases prefer virtual communication (Houston, 2012).

Experts from Villanova University and the University of Ragers say that the increased interest of teenagers to plastic surgery can be partly caused by numerous reality shows that are constantly shown on television (Geraghty, 2013). Psychologist of the University Radgers Charlotte Marki with her husband Patrick Marki from Villanova University found out that teens love reality shows, which often show the possibility of plastic surgery, and they are more likely to join millions of young people who decided to make an operation. More and more young people prefer plastic surgery as an ideal and quick way to improve appearance. About twenty five percent of plastic surgeries in the United States in 2008 were conducted on adolescents before nineteen years. Such decision may have serious negative consequences in future.

Some scientists believe that the popularity of reality shows lies in the reason that they are the only opportunity to see someone like you on the screen: unremarkable people whose only desire is to make boring life more interesting. They can not do it themselves. They think that TV will make it for them.

Some observers have attributed popularity of television based on reality with a growing sense of powerlessness among the general public. Critics say about its harmful effects on the audience, as it blurs the traditional boundaries between reality and illusion, confusing audience and manipulating its sense of reality (Green, 2013).

Experts point out that modern television pursues a purely commercial purpose, which has a bad influence on final quality of the product. But reality shows bring huge profits to channel, thanks to the audience who support the heroes through voting.

One of the negative effects of reality shows: they show teenagers (its main audience) quick fame and easy money. Adolescents start thinking that hitting the TV can, they can become famous almost overnight, and the prize attracts like a magnet as it is a pledge for a comfortable future. But few people think about how long this euphoria will last and how to earn money in the future (Skeen, 2011).

Many reality shows promote mass smoking. Young people constantly see how the characters are smoking while discussing events of the day. Experience of favorite heroes is quickly replicated and, unfortunately, today cigarette has become a part of image of young people.

Also, reality shows often promote premarital sex, once considered shameful. Undressed body became something ordinary, girls openly seduce guys and share their secrets of seduction with their fans. That romance inherent to intimate relationships is missing. In fact, this pattern is inherent in most of today’s youth. For instance, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, despite their young age, many times became a hot topic of discussion in the media (Cihlar, 2012).

Speaking about the impact of reality shows, it is worth noting and they have positive impact on people, too. Reality shows have become the object of criticism, however, the latest survey of the Research Institute showed that watching such programs may be useful for girls (Radford, 2011).

It was found that reality shows have helped the girls to become more open in terms of communication, motivated them and pushed for social activity. 75% of young women said that the program inspired them to talk to their parents or friends. 68 % of the respondents believed that they can achieve anything in life because of such shows. Reality shows raised awareness of social problems and their causes in 62% of girls. Contrary to the expectations of researchers, less than half of girls watching reality shows, said they felt happier when dating someone. Although it is assumed that reality shows promote obsession on appearance and obligatory presence of a partner as a guarantor of success.

Also, according to some psychologists, TV is not just a source of transmission of information, but also a stabilizer of relations. Any reality show gives family members an opportunity to communicate with each other, because they create the illusion of reality. Talking about members of a show, people discuss their own problems and viewpoints on meanness and treachery, parenting, violence, sex and love. Such shows can help a person get rid of loneliness. Thanks to reality show, lonely people feel an effect of a “full house.” Coming to an empty apartment and turning on the TV, one sees familiar faces and hear familiar voices and it seems to him that he is not alone at home. Everyone wants rich and colorful life, but security is an important part, so observation is the best choice. And imitation is just a weakness of character.

Summarizing everything above, it is seen that reality show are broadcasted on almost every channel. Some teach us to lose weight, some – to build relationships, and others show a magical transformation of an ordinary girl into a successful top model. Psychologists attribute this to the subconscious desire for “spying” for someone else’s life.

Particularly adverse impact reality shows have on the psyche of young people with non-ledged character and convictions. Shows provide not always worthy behavior of the characters as a role model. Behavior of the participants is often taken as a standard.

But there are certain benefits of such shows. First of all, you can learn from the mistakes of others. Failed relationship is not an example to follow, but a good lesson. Second, all shows are somehow built on the survival instinct. Spectator, identifying himself with some of the characters can estimate his own chances of survival in such a situation or a similar team.

 

Works Cited:

Cihlar, James. “The Reality Show.” Prairie Schooner, 86.1 (2012): 127-128.

Cunningham, Bill. “Reality Show.” The New York Times, (2012): 4-7.

Eis, Colby. Why Reality TV is Like a Grug With Bad Side Effects. 2013. Retrieved from http://elitedaily.com/entertainment/reality-tv-drug-bad-side-effects/

Fahner, Micki. The real effects of reality TV. 2012. USA Today College. Retrieved from http://college.usatoday.com/2012/04/18/the-real-effects-of-reality-tv/

Geraghty, Christine. “Reality Television and Class.” Critical Studies in Television, 8.3 (2013): 124.

Green, Tom. Reality TV — Rewarding Bad Behavior. 2013. Retrieved from

Houston, Muiris. “Just Another Reality Show?.” Irish Medical Times, 46.33 (2012): 22.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-green/reality-tv-rewarding-bad-_b_3606641.html

Joannou, Ashley. Yukon RCMP to star on reality TV show. Whitehourse Daily Star. 2013. Retrieved from http://www.whitehorsestar.com/archive/story/yukon-rcmp-to-star-on-reality-tv-show/

Manning, Brendan. “Back to Reality Show Island.” The New Zealand Herald, (2013): A.15.

Narwal, Mahabir, and Geeta Arora. “Societal Perception of Reality Shows.” International Journal of Marketing & Business Communication, 1.3 (2012): 11.

Radford, Benjamin. Reality TV: A Positive Influence for Girls? Discovery News.   (2011). Retrieved from http://news.discovery.com/human/psychology/girl-scout-poll-reality-tv-111202.htm

Skeen, Hope & Youth Advisory Commission. Reality TV’s effect on teens. 2011. Reporter – Herald. Retrieved from http://www.reporterherald.com/ci_19444120

 

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

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freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
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"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

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"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]
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