Understanding the Sociological Aspects of Reality TV

Reality Television Many reality television shows go from the ridiculous to the absurd, and that is an understatement. There are ample examples of mindless reality shows, including such inane shows like "Born in the Wild," about couples that want to experience the birthing experience in the great outdoors. This paper zeros in on a sociological view of reality television, including using symbolic interaction theory, functionalism, and conflict theory.

Symbolic Interaction and Reality Television Symbolic interaction (or symbolic interactionism) delves into the meaning that people "develop and rely upon in the process of social interaction" (Crossman, 2012). In other words, people tend to behave in response to their own personal, subjective interpretation of how they perceive the world around them. The events, the interactions, and the behaviors that people witness and experience as they go through a day leave a subjective impression, according to Crossman, writing in about.com.

What people believe to be true about something they see has far more truth for people than what is factual. Why do some people go crazy over reality TV while others aren't moved? My view is that simple people without much education or solid background latch on to reality TV because they wish that society (and their own part in it) could be like that. Their own world is narrow and boring, full of work and without excitement, so they gravitate towards something they subjectively see as interesting.

Moreover, the changing venues and behaviors witnessed on reality television help form that subjective lens through which some people perceive the world. In a voyeuristic reality television program, where the viewer is peering in on a private moment between two people, may give that viewer something to imitate. "Behavior deemed to be realistic in a TV program is more likely to be imitated than unrealistic behavior" (Coyne, et al., 2010).

Functionalism and Reality Television The basis of functionalism is that a person can study and come to relate to the physical world in the same way as he can respond to the social world. Each part of society functions for the sake of stabilizing the whole society, according to Ashley Crossman. In other words, every part of society is supposed to function to support the "form and shape of society" (Crossman, 2012). Functionalism places emphasis on the "consensus and order" that society needs in order to function.

Any one part of society that is dysfunctional negatively impacts the rest of society, Crossman explains. What functions does reality TV serve in our society and how has this changed society since its introduction? People who believe that much of society is not functioning very well may be turning to reality TV to create a new reality for themselves. An impressionable person watching "19 Kids" might believe that society is functioning well when couples have a raft of kids.

This is a twisted reality but it has truth to it for some individuals. I don't believe society has changed at all since the advent of reality TV; people's viewing habits have changed and their ability to delve into others' lives (lifting themselves out of their own dull lives) has been enhanced. Conflict Theory and Reality Television To produce order in society power and coercion are necessary, according to Karl Marx.

Italian scholar Antonio Gramsci asserted that the dominant group in society establishes the consensus as to how people should live and behave. Further, conflict theory posits that people challenge the status quo and go to extremes to challenge inequality. How has this craze resulted from society's inequalities? In some cases, underdogs are given a chance to defeat the elite or those in power. But it would be a stretch to suggest that reality TV is about producers providing entertainment that depicts a fight against inequality.

Does everyone have the same chances of obtaining and participating in reality TV? Why or why not? From one standpoint, everyone can watch reality TV, which is a way of participating. In.