Asha Hopton Source 1

Question: Why do female viewers experience behavioral or moral changes as a result of reality TV shows?

Citation:
Lewis, N., & Weaver, A. J. (2015, June 29). Emotional Responses to Social Comparisons in Reality Television Programming. Journal of Media Psychology. Advance online publication.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105/a000151 

In my first source I found, I focused on why women are influenced by reality shows. In order to go in depth on the specific behavioral changes and views they experience, I first have to conclude why they feel the need to allow reality TV shows to impact the way they live their lives. Why do female viewers experience behavioral or moral changes as a result of reality TV shows?

My thoughts on my initial question were that women want to be like what they see on reality shows. Since the reality shows are meant to be "realistic", they tend to take what they see and try to improve their lives. In this article it says that most people seek affirmations about their lives from others. Lewis and Weaver state: "People determine their own abilities and opinions by comparing themselves to specific targets so that uncertainty about the self is reduced. In turn, they learn how to define who they are as individuals. This basic need to maintain an accurate perception of the self often lends to comparisons to other individuals and these comparisons are generally driven by three motivations: self-evaluation, self- improvement, and self-enhancement" (Lewis and Weaver). This research backs up my claim and I completely agree. Women in particular like to "keep up with the Jones" and constantly compare themselves to other women, especially those on reality TV shows. Since the shows are seemingly "unscripted", women take that as an ideal image and use it improve themselves as well as one-up other women in looks, attitudes, behaviors, etc. 

Now, my next question would be the specific impact(s) that reality shows have on women. Does it affect the way they view the standard of beauty or appearance in general? How have their morals changes specifically as a result of viewing reality TV shows? So far, I feel that women handle personal conflict encounters in a negative manner as a result of what they view on reality TV. Also, I feel that their morals and views on love and romance have shifted to something that makes these aspects less serious and temporary. The standard of beauty has shifted as well, making this glamorized image the everyday look and something that is expected out of women in the real world.