1. Scores of third-person perception studies have demonstrated the fact that individuals believe other people are more affected by media messages than they themselves are (Perloff, 1993).
This stat. cracks me up. This is so human: we always think everything is a bad influence on everybody except us--because we're too smart, too savvy, to be influenced.
what do you think?
2. Here's an excerpt from an interview with Christopher J. Wright. Read it. We've discussed some of these issues in terms of Kid Nation. What is his point? Do you agree?
What do you think we need to understand about reality television in American culture? You call Survivor the “false real.”Well, a number of scholars (and newspaper writers, too) have documented how “reality TV” is an ironic term. Sure, what we see on Survivor and The Real World, etc., isn’t fiction – it did happen. But it’s a bad idea to assume that things occurred during filming exactly as we see it on screen, and viewers, myself included, could get lulled into a false sense of a relative lack of mediation – like we’re watching a live event, nearly free of editing. Now, Survivor, The Amazing Race, and maybe one or two other reality shows are expertly edited – as good, I’d say, as some adventure/drama/suspense films. Both shows at their best can be riveting. So we forget about editing, time compression, the fact that when we see a contestant alone, talking to the camera, they’re usually responding to interview questions from a producer. But the biggest issue may be the potential impact on socialization, and that’s something I try to hit on repeatedly in my book. If Survivor and reality TV are seen as “real,” then the ideologies, stereotypes, and the like presented in them are all the more believable. In our society, we already stereotype people left and right – we all do it. This doesn’t help.
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10 comments:
1. I do believe the comment by Perloff to be true to an extent. I think there are many different levels of how much they believe they are being influenced by the media. For example i have seen girls in the mall who walk around and dress just like paris hilton would, and some of these girls are sometimes not even 10 or 12. And the same may go for kids wanting to be rock stars and dressing just like their favorite artist or having the habits of their favorite media figures. But i think the major question is, would it be better to not be influenced by any media and think that you are better than everyone else. Or, is it better to be more humble and try to fit in with the group of people who want to be just like their favorite rock stars/ media figures. I think it is hard to not be influenced by some sort of media, for example if no one was ever influenced by some sort of media don't you think we would be living in jungles or forests like native people of a bygone era?
2. I believe that the major point is that if a tv show puts something in a more "real" situation it may be more believable. And producers do that by cutting out certain parts of a show to make it more exciting and believable. Yes i do agree i think that most television is made so it is believable. "Ripleys believe it or not" didn't last very long did it? It seems to me that most television is mainly about presentation and trying to keep the viewers watching so the tv companies can make more money than other competing companies. Its all just a race to be the network the the number one rated and watched show in the country or world.
1. I completely agree with the statement by Perloff. Everyone watches trash tv and reality tv shows with the attitude that it won't affect them and doesn't influence them in the slightest. It would be nice if everyone felt so comfortable in their individuality that tv and media did not affect them, but in our culture today that is clearly not the case. The media is a huge part of American culture and while we all wish we couldn't be influenced by it, it is hard not to be. On shows like the "Real World" they cast people that are easy to relate to but put them in a non-realistic situation, 7 strangers living in a mansion with close to zero responsibilities, and with endless amounts of money and alcohol. However America seems to be interested, and also influenced.
2. I believe that Christopher J. Wright is touching upon the fact that the people portrayed on reality tv shows may be shaped into the specific characters that the producers are looking for to make the show more entertaining. Reality tv puts such specific roles and stereotypes on it's characters which can mislead viewers to believing those are the true qualities of that person in real life. This also promotes the viewers to stereotype those in their own environment and assume that everyone fits into a specific category.
1. For the most part I agree with the statemtent made by Perloff. Even in our class discussions we talk about how reality tv can be bad because other people who watch these shows take it seriously and are influenced by it. We are basically insinuating that we are not influenced by it. This could be true to a certain extent, but it doesn't take away from the fact that we are supporting Perloff's statement. I think we would all like to believe that we are not affected by these tv shows, but in reality it is really hard not to be. Media plays such a crucial role in society that the people on these television shows are basically setting an example for the world. I don't think these television shows realize the impact they have on people, and neither do the people on the shows. I know that when I am watching trash tv I definitely don't think I am being influenced or affected by it. I feel that I am watching it just for entertainment purposes, and thats all.
2. I agree with Christopher J. Wright that if the show is portrayed as "real" then the more interested viewers and people are. They feel that they can relate to the characters, as well as the situations that take place. As a viewer, I think it is hard to decipher between what is real and what isn't, especially when the network is giving you false information that everything being filmed is real. I know that when I was watching shows like Real World at a young age, I definitely could not tell the difference between what was real and fake. It did intrigue me though, and thats all that matters because all these companies want is to make money-as Michael O'Keeffe said.
1. I somewhat believe in Perloff's comment. Some people are affected by the media, yet there are some people who aren't. It all depends how secure and confident one is. If a girl isn't truly comfortable with who she is, she might want to imitate someone famous like paris hilton, lindsay lohan, or even britney spears. They may need someone to look up to or someone they feel they can relate to. In contrast, some girls might be extremely secure who dont really like to follow any other person, but themselves.
Also, when people follow celebrities is because they want to be "cool" or because they want to be in style. For example, dark nail polish, or a certain type of sundress.
2. I think he's point is that even though one cant quite classify Reality TV as being completely trash because it's "real", one cant assume that everything that's on the air is real. The producers can distort a lot of the events that are presented to a certain direction so it makes it seem better and more captivating for the viewer. I completely agree with this point because the show IS classified as "reality TV", yet not all of the information that is presented can be believed
Maria Altamirano
I completely agree with Cat's point when she mentions, "Media plays such a crucial role in society that the people on these television shows are basically setting an example for the world."
Media does play an enormous role in our lives because we watch it and hear it 24/7. It would be impossible to not be affected by it. One may think that he/she is not being affected by it, but subconsciously they probably are.
Maria Altamirano
1. The comment made by Perloff is very true in my opinion. My parents used to yell at me for watching shows like the Simple Life in front of my younger sister because her mind is still developing, and she should not be watching some of the shows that I was; however, I was the one being influenced by the shows in some ways. Dr. 90210 is one of my favorite shows, and after watching all of these people go through surgery, one cannot help but think about what they might want to get done to themselves. There is so much emphasis on these shows effect younger children, that they do not realize that they can effect anyone at any age.
2. I agree with the point that Wright makes in saying that if a television show is referred to as reality TV, the viewers accept it as true. Shows like the Real World and Survivor may seem real, but they are so edited that there is really nothing true in them. I feel that because they are considered "reality TV" shows, that it why they are believable. People don't bother to think about the fake and edited scenes on the show.
1. Scores of third-person perception studies have demonstrated the fact that individuals believe other people are more affected by media messages than they themselves are (Perloff, 1993). This stat. cracks me up. This is so human: we always think everything is a bad influence on everybody except us--because we're too smart, too savvy, to be influenced. what do you think?
I think that we do as humans believe that we are smarter then the media . I know for a fact that I am not smarter. I always thought I was but reading and reflecting on this prompt I now know I’m not. The reason the media has out smarted me in the past is because of its way of coming across it makes me buy into something that I would not normally buy into. What I mean is more on the lines of commercials. Many times I buy into a product because of a commercial, for example beer and football go hand in hand. Beer commercials are always on football games. It is now considered a normal thing in our country.
2. Here's an excerpt from an interview with Christopher J. Wright. Read it. We've discussed some of these issues in terms of Kid Nation. What is his point? Do you agree? What do you think we need to understand about reality television in American culture? You call Survivor the “false real.”Well, a number of scholars (and newspaper writers, too) have documented how “reality TV” is an ironic term. Sure, what we see on Survivor and The Real World, etc., isn’t fiction – it did happen. But it’s a bad idea to assume that things occurred during filming exactly as we see it on screen, and viewers, myself included, could get lulled into a false sense of a relative lack of mediation – like we’re watching a live event, nearly free of editing. Now, Survivor, The Amazing Race, and maybe one or two other reality shows are expertly edited – as good, I’d say, as some adventure/drama/suspense films. Both shows at their best can be riveting. So we forget about editing, time compression, the fact that when we see a contestant alone, talking to the camera, they’re usually responding to interview questions from a producer. But the biggest issue may be the potential impact on socialization, and that’s something I try to hit on repeatedly in my book. If Survivor and reality TV are seen as “real,” then the ideologies, stereotypes, and the like presented in them are all the more believable. In our society, we already stereotype people left and right – we all do it. This doesn’t help.
Today television is all done by editing. Yes things do happen and they are twisted in such away that they become false art. American culture at first bought into the “reality TV”. Now, America has caught on to the trend of editing. Today’s “reality TV” should be looked at as entertainment and not real life. To many Americans judge people on “reality TV” as who the really in person. I know Dr. Jones used the example of talking to her daughter about Kid Nation and wanting to be on the show. She talked to her daughter about how they can portray you in anyway they want.
1.According to my own experience, I agree with Perloff's statement "individuals believe other people are more affected by media messages than they themselves are."
When I was in my country Korea couple years ago, many people including me, were strongly against others who had done plastic surgery. However, over the past years media has been emphasizing on people's beauty and it changed numerous people's perspectives toward plastic surgery. Honestly today, I do not mind about plastic surgery as much as before since media made it such a common vogue in our society.I always thought that I would never get affected by the media, but without noticing, I was getting influenced along with the people around me because the media has the power to impact on people's beliefs and values.Therefore, as Marshall McLuhan's quote “All media exist to invest our lives with artificial perceptions and arbitrary values”, media is a bigger influence on people's life than they think.
2.I think Wright says that public needs to know reality TV shows are not entirely real. Things in real life do not occur exactly as it appears on a reality show. What we may believe happened could have been acted from a script written before the show is aired. In a reality TV show events can be reoccurred or re-filmed where in real life if you make a mistake you cannot go back. The producers may edit a scene out or make the actors act it numerous times to make the show more dramatic to get more viewers and better reviews. Yes our lives contain drama, but not as much drama as the reality TV shows contain.
The other evidence to prove that reality shows aren’t really true is the interview. On the show “Real World” girls are being interviewed as the drama takes place. One girl would be arguing and seconds later she shows up talking to the camera by herself explaining what is going on. This gives us the notion that these shows aren’t exactly what is happening and that they are edited for better entertainment.
1) I agree with ths statement. I think the reason that it is true is that it is alot easier to blame others before yourself. Everyone likes to hold themselves in the highest reguard, while it is so easy to put every ounch of blame on another person. I do think them edia has a very strong influence on todays society, and no matter what a person does they are ifluenced in some way. Some people are followers and find a trend they like and make themselves live by that trend. THese people take media influence to the extreme, but you dont have to be extreme to be effected by the media. Media can effect a person's life without them changing their points of veiw.
2) I agree with mike o on this one. TV is made to be more real, so the veiwers can relate and feel more connected to the shows. It adds a new element of entertainment, and keeps the veiwers feelings invested in the program. Reality TV has become the prefernce for entertainment on television.
1.) I agree with Perloff's opinion in that individuals believe other people are more affected by media messages than they themselves are. I never had really thought of this before, because I am on of those people that did not think reality tv affects me. Shows like Kid Nation, I think are a bad influence to younger kids because it makes them think can do things they cant. Yet, at the same time I watch shows like "Real World' and am intrigued by the party environment of the show. Meanwhile, I forget that the "Real World" is not actually the real world because I am not going to be handed job opportunities, or luxurious apartments to throw parties in. Rather I am going to have to go through years of school to work towards getting these material things I envy on the show. It is hypocritical to think that you are not influenced by media, as it is so prominent in our society today. Whether you are conscious of its influence, your unconscious is at least influenced by media everyday due solely to the fact that it is so prevalent in our world.
2.) I think the most important thing we need to understand about reality television is the use of the term reality is misleading. By misleading, I mean that all reality television is not actually what really happens. Rather I would use the term situational reality television. Shows such as “Survivor” and “Real Word” are just two examples. The shows take people and put them in a certain situation. Additionally, it is usually not a normal or everyday situation. It is then the goal of the show to see how these people react under the circumstances they are put in. “Real World” is the king of this in my opinion. How many people are going to live in a house with seven people of all different background, races, sex, religions, and personalities. Furthermore, they are given luxurious places to stay and are handed job opportunities. This is not the REAL world, rather it is a show of how people react to living with others. Reality television should be considered as how people act in certain situations not taken literally.
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