Characteristics of the Frequent Reality Television Viewer
In a study called "Why People Watch Reality TV" conducted by Steven Reiss and James Wiltz, the researchers assessed the appeal of reality TV by asking 239 adults to rate themselves on each of 16 basic motives and to rate how much they watched and enjoyed various reality television shows. those who watched reality TV had above average trait motivation to feel self-important and vindicated, friendly, free of morality, secure, and romantic. People prefer television that stimulates the feelings they intrinsically value the most.
Reiss and Wiltz relied on the Sensitivity Theory or the 16 Basic Desires. Sensitivity Theory holds that people pay attention to stimuli that are relevant to the satisfaction of their most basic motives, and they tend tot ignore stimuli that are irrelevant to their basic motives. Below is a modified version of a table from the study detailing the 16 Basic Motives. Each of the 16 Basic Desires is thought to be universally motivating, but individuals differ in how they prioritize them. According to Sensitivity Theory, we embrace television viewing as convenient, minimal effort means of vicariously experiencing the 16 joys repeatedly. Aggressive children are attractive to aggressive television, sex-oriented people are attracted to programs with sexual themes, religious people watch religious programming, and curious people watch the news. Individuals prefer to watch shows that arouse the joys most important to them. People who are strongly motivated to socialize should be especially interested in shows that portray groups, fun or friendship. Those strongly motivated by vengeance should be especially interested in television shows with aggressive content. |
Sensitivity Theory assumes that a) media use is motivated; b) people select media based on their needs; and c) media compete with other activities for selection, attention, and use.
Reiss and Wiltz found that the more reality television shows people watch, the greater should be the departure from normality of the viewers rank orderings of the 16 Basic Desires. The more reality TV shows a person liked, the more status-oriented the person was. People who watched and enjoyed reality television placed a higher value on vengeance. Those who liked 2+ reality TV shows tended to be more motivated by social life, less motivated by honor, more concerned with order, and more motivated by romance. Status is the main motivation force that drives interest in reality TV. These shows also imply that ordinary people are important, and thus, ordinary people can watch the shows, see people like themselves, and fantasize that they could gain celebrity status by being on television. Sociable people are more likely to view reality TV. People who avoid conflict, anger, and competition may avoid viewing reality television because these shows often portray competition and interpersonal conflict. People who dislike rules may react negatively to the many rules that must be followed by participants of reality TV shows. Viewing reality TV shows is negatively associated with the extent to which a person embraces morality (honor) because many of these shows champion expedience over ethics. |
Source: "Why People Watch Reality TV," Steven Reiss and James Wiltz. The Ohio State University.