Influence of Reality Shows on Viewers Lifestyle A Case Study

Influence of Reality Shows on Viewers Lifestyle A Case Study

Feasibility question: Do active viewers of reality shows emulate lifestyle and behavior shown in such shows and if so what makes viewers to emulate and to what extent such emulation is possible?

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Abstract

Background

Television has a tremendous influence on the minds of people, society and everyday life in general. The managers of MTV channel realize this and transfer on the air certain programs pointed on the base instincts of the population. These are reality shows which bring high ratings to the channel. The following research is based on the study of Jersey Shore’s reality show and its influence on teenagers.

Results

The quantitative results are represented for the teenagers from 16 to 18 years old. The analysis of the audience opinion shows that 90 % of teenagers have a character in the show which they feel is similar to them. The teenagers are faced with the problem of identity, self-realization and embodiment of themselves, which often coincides with embodiment of the invented and thoughtful hero image. It leads to the result that images broadcasted to the masses define specific standards of conduct in society. The same 90 % would prefer to have lots of money as the heroes of Jersey Shore. Because participants of the reality show are paid for their behavior, it reinforces their image as successful people, and becomes a definite incentive tracing for the above mentioned teenagers involved in TV viewing.

Conclusion

The theoretical analyses based on the conducted survey indicated the great influence of Jersey Shore on the teenagers. They admire events and people seen on the screen. Many teenagers even copy the behavior of their favorite heroes. But the degree of such emulation is by now overestimated. The results of the research showed that the teenagers are able to emulate the behavior of the heroes only in certain context. The following subject still requires more detailed investigation for the reason of limited sample of the conducted research.

Introduction

Since the inception of MTV’s Real World reality television has steadily immersed itself as almost a required staple for any mainstream media. The success experienced by shows such as Big Brother, Survivor, Amazing Race, The Apprentice, The Bachelor, and other consequent examples of reality television illustrates the endemic popularity of such format. Among the latest MTV’s reality television shows is Jersey Shore which follows the lives of 8 people who are tasked to live under the same roof for a summer month.

One of the foremost elements that sets the show apart from other similarly housemate-enabled reality television shows is that instead of going for a balanced, mixed-personality casting, it focused only on a select stereotyped group of characters, purportedly 20-something Italian-Americans who distinguish themselves under the ‘guido’ subculture.

The show’s particular interpretation of this subgroup was amplified through elements of physical appearance – tanned, gym-buffed, and gel-haired males; toned, sensual females in skimpy clothing – as well as activities and entertainments enjoyed by the participants. These elements put the show under much scrutiny.

Brooks (2009) cites these qualities as illustrative of the ‘bella figura’ of the Italian-American culture, a reversal of characteristics that is employed to mask the individual – the poor makes everyone think that he is rich, and the rich makes everyone think that he is far below his capacities. Taking it into account the Jersey Shore’s housemates turn to be total caricatures of people who are living ‘beyond their means’.

Another perspective in Brooks (2009) employs a kinder, albeit similarly negative portrayal of the ‘guido’ representative as a “handsome, uneducated kid who could only get by because of his looks and charm”. These interpretations underscore the fact that the show depicts a shallow, one-dimensional characterization of the cast.

Nevertheless, it did not affect the show’s popularity as a third season is just waiting for the production. It seems that despite its frail qualities, the show exerts a measure of influence that extends its viewership.

One particular theoretical perspective that explains this popularity revolves around the idea of authenticity consumption. Rose and Wood (2005) propose that viewing of reality television goes beyond ordinary entertainment consuming, the act itself engages viewers by allowing them expressing themselves in the context of the rigid format.

This means that despite a reality television show is designed, reality aspect enables viewer to participate in the events happening on video by means of projection.

Rose and Wood (2005) further explain the idea as similar to a contrived daydream by which viewer’s aspirations and fantasy are realized in the television show. The limitations put into place of a reality television show such as a geographical barrier (e.g. characters must stay marooned on an island, housemates must stay for a month), a competitive context (e.g. voting out cast members, being the first to cross the finish line), a social fixation (i.e. all cast members want to be chosen by the bachelor/bachelorette, players want to be super heroes), and other fixed frameworks allow viewers to exercise hyper authenticity or a discourse that a viewer engages with himself in the presence of a reality television show.

The Jersey Shore formulation is indicative of such focal aspects in reality television show. They have 8 housemates, all casted as Italian-Americans, and are allowed on the show for one month’s worth of a summer. Although there are no embedded task limitations or game frameworks the actual casting personalities are distinguishing limiting factors in which viewers can achieve a measure of hyper authenticity. Since the characters are almost clones in terms of personality and subsequent wants, needs, and fears, a viewer may be more able to project his or her fantasies on the characters’ actions.

It could also work the other way around. Zurbriggen and Morgan (2006) surveyed undergraduate students who watched reality dating programs (RDP) and found out that the practices portrayed in the television shows influenced on the actual dating behaviors of the viewers.

The results of the study show that the undergraduates who watch RDPs are more prone to advocating problematic relationship stereotypes such as gender double standards. Christenson and Ivancin (2006) found out that health- and medically-related reality television shows such as The Biggest Loser and Extreme Makeover can serve as inspirations to behavioral change, most especially to viewers who see themselves among the cast of characters in these shows.

Hall (2006) conducted a series of focus group discussions of individuals regularly viewing reality television programs and described people’s apparent willingness to mirror behavior seen in the shows especially if they see that it reflected an aspect of their personality.

In view of the apparent influence of reality television programs on viewer’s opinion and behavior, the effects of Jersey Shore may be reviewed in the same context and can be a point for research and discussion. Since the show mirrors the salient characteristics of reality prog……………………