Reality Tv In Sociology

494 Words2 Pages

Reality TV has proven to be popular and influential amongst the populations of several nations but the reasoning behind it has yet to be concurred by sociologists. By utilizing symbolic interactionist perspective, functional analysis and conflict theory individuals can create reasoning behind why reality TV receives such positive response despite the deplorable deeds being presented. Symbolic interactionist perspective is the social process where people create symbols amongst each other. Reality TV gives a false image of typical social life for the majority of societies by taking select groups of individuals and recording their interactions. Furthermore, this attempts to establish reality tv as a symbol of social life despite all the missing variables between the show and typical reality for most people. They give false testimony of where the best places are and give a distorted ideal of how things should be done. Examples of these false statements could be Jersey …show more content…

People can find themselves drawn to this craze due to effect of inequality they endure or the desire to establish themselves as greater in the social order. Extremely few people will experience the quality of life reality stars (like the Kardashians) have so tv allows people to see how the other half lives or what they can do to further themselves socially. Product placement and promotion is common on reality television and people feel the urge to buy these products because they are associated with wealth/ high social standing. The chance to appear on a reality program itself is near impossible for the majority of the population to achieve because the high demand from people but the minuscule opportunities offered by networking programs. Overall these exhibitions create conflict amongst people in the effort to fight for