Tracing the Course of Reality TV Effects Research

Abstract

This chapter overviews the history of reality‐based TV research, starting with efforts to define the genre and understand why people watch such programming, with particular attention to issues of voyeurism and desire for fame. The discussion then turns to research on the effect of reality TV consumption, which has progressed primarily through the lenses of cultivation theory, social cognitive theory, and perceived realism. Given the general focus on the negative effects of reality TV consumption, the chapter goes on to examine the possible benefits of watching reality TV, such as enhancing learning, coping potential, and cooperative behavior. The chapter concludes with some consideration of the health implications of watching reality TV programming, including desire for cosmetic surgery enhancements and motivation for healthy living.

Self-Disclosure and the Liking of Participants in Reality TV

“…So why are reality shows so popular? Why do their participants so often achieve celebrity status and become models with whom the viewers identify (e.g., Nabi, So, & Santos, ) when they dramatically violate the norms of self‐disclosure that apply in real‐life interpersonal relationships? This study explores this apparent contradiction by examining whether the viewers' reaction to self‐disclosure is different when watching reality shows or whether, at least in some respects, it is similar to the perceptions common in daily, face‐to‐face interactions.…”

“I see dead people”: Exploring the associations between watching horror and belief in the paranormal.

“…They speculated that this may have been because the message drew attention to the possibility that "the depicted events are deserving of some doubt" (Sparks et al, 1994, p. 393), something which may happen less when watching television in a natural environment. Building on the premise that more credible media content may elicit stronger media effects (Busselle et al, 2004;Nabi et al, 2012) and the earlier findings of Sparks et al (1994) and Brewer (2013), I hypothesize that watching more (a) based on true events reenactments, (b) found footage, or (c) paranormal reality TV results in the strongest relationships with belief in the paranormal (Hypothesis 1). Furthermore, to a lesser extent, I expect that watching more paranormal fiction without truth claims is also associated with stronger beliefs in the paranormal (Hypothesis 2).…”

“…It has been argued that when media content is perceived to be more realistic, plausible, credible, or factual, this can potentially lead to stronger effects because viewers accept the fictional content as truth (Busselle et al, 2004; Nabi et al, 2012). This mechanism relates back to the previously mentioned heuristic processing of information (Tversky & Kahneman, 1973).…”

Perceived Realism and Twitter Use Are Associated with Increased Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery among Those Watching Reality Television Cosmetic Surgery Programs

“…1,2 In 2011, 56.4 percent of total primetime audiences watching prime time shows were tuned into a reality television show, up from 22.4 percent in the 2001 to 2002 season. 1,2 In 2011, 56.4 percent of total primetime audiences watching prime time shows were tuned into a reality television show, up from 22.4 percent in the 2001 to 2002 season.…”