Sociology of Reality TV: Three Theoretical Lenses
This paper examines reality television through three major sociological frameworks: symbolic interactionism, functionalism, and conflict theory. Drawing on the work of scholars such as Ashley Crossman and Karl Marx, the paper explores how viewers form subjective meanings from reality TV content, how the genre functions within — or disrupts — social order, and how conflict theory illuminates issues of power, coercion, and inequality in the production and consumption of reality programming. Examples include shows such as "19 Kids," "Dance Moms," and "Born in the Wild."
- Introduction: Overview of reality TV's sociological significance
- Symbolic Interaction and Reality Television: How viewers form subjective meanings from reality TV
- Functionalism and Reality Television: Reality TV's role in social stability and order
- Conflict Theory and Reality Television: Power, coercion, and inequality in reality TV
- Conclusion and Works Cited: Source list and closing references
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What makes this paper effective
- Clearly applies three distinct sociological frameworks to a single cultural phenomenon, giving the paper an organized comparative structure.
- Grounds each theoretical section in concrete, recognizable reality TV examples (e.g., "Dance Moms," "19 Kids"), making abstract concepts accessible.
- Integrates peer-reviewed and reference sources consistently, demonstrating basic academic citation practice.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates theoretical triangulation — applying multiple competing frameworks (symbolic interactionism, functionalism, and conflict theory) to the same subject. This technique shows analytical breadth and allows the writer to reveal different dimensions of the same phenomenon. Each section introduces the theory, cites a source defining it, and then applies it directly to reality television, modeling how to move from definition to application.
Structure breakdown
The paper follows a straightforward three-part thematic structure, each section anchored by one sociological theory. An introductory paragraph establishes the topic and previews the frameworks. Three body sections then develop each theory in turn, using real show examples. The works cited list closes the paper. This structure is well-suited to an undergraduate sociology or media studies course where students must demonstrate command of multiple theoretical perspectives.
Introduction
Many reality television shows range from the ridiculous to the absurd — and that is an understatement. There are ample examples of mindless reality programming, including such inane offerings as Born in the Wild, a show about couples who want to experience childbirth in the great outdoors. This paper examines a sociological view of reality television, applying three major theoretical frameworks: symbolic interactionism, functionalism, and conflict theory.
Symbolic Interaction and Reality Television
Symbolic interactionism explores 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, interactions, and behaviors that people witness and experience throughout a day leave a subjective impression. What people believe to be true about something they see holds far more truth for them than what is purely factual. Why do some people become intensely engaged with reality TV while others are unmoved? One view is that people without much education or a varied life experience gravitate toward reality TV because they wish that society — and their own place within it — could resemble what they see on screen. Their world may feel narrow and routine, so they are drawn to content they subjectively find interesting or exciting.
Moreover, the changing venues and behaviors witnessed on reality television help form the subjective lens through which some viewers perceive the world. A voyeuristic reality television program — one in which the viewer peers in on a private moment between two people — may give that viewer something to imitate. As researchers have found, "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 relate to the physical world in much the same way as he or she responds to the social world. Each part of society functions for the sake of stabilizing the whole, according to Ashley Crossman. Every element of society is supposed 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 part of society that is dysfunctional, Crossman explains, negatively impacts the rest.
What functions does reality TV serve in society, and how has this changed society since its introduction? People who believe that much of society is not functioning well may turn to reality TV to construct a new reality for themselves. An impressionable viewer watching 19 Kids and Counting might conclude that society functions best when couples have a large number of children. This is a distorted reality, but it holds genuine meaning for some individuals. One argument is that society itself has not fundamentally changed since the advent of reality TV; rather, people's viewing habits have shifted, and their ability to immerse themselves in others' lives — lifting themselves temporarily from their own daily routines — has been enhanced by the genre.
Conclusion and Works Cited
Looking at Dance Moms as an example, mothers push their daughters to outperform others and challenge the status quo in order to claim a position at the top. The mothers coerce their daughters — a dynamic consistent with conflict theory — to compete fiercely so the mothers can live out their own ambitions vicariously. How did those mothers earn spots on the show? In all likelihood, they had to appear attractive and demonstrate verbal or emotional qualities that made for compelling television. The answer, then, is that not everyone has an equal chance. It is a selective process, and the standards — while often unfair — eliminate many would-be participants.
Coyne, Sarah M., Robinson, Simon L., and Nelson, David A. "Does Reality Backbite? Physical, Verbal, and Relational Aggression in Reality Television Programs." Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media 54.2 (2010): 282–298.
Crossman, Ashley. "Functionalist Theory." About.com. Retrieved October 2, 2015, from 2012.
Crossman, Ashley. "Symbolic Interaction Theory." About.com. Retrieved October 2, 2015, from 2012.
Television.com. "Shows / Categories." Retrieved October 2, 2015, from 2013.
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