Researchers Coyne et al. claim that interpersonal conflict on reality TV is more likely to be imitated because it is viewed as real. They claim that males and females are equal parts of relational aggression and the portrayal of this type of conflict on reality TV may be influencing interpersonal conflict. Reality TV sets the stage for relational aggression, because it is based on human interaction and often lacks a plot line. Coyne et al. set out to answer the question of whether or not reality television portrays relational aggression more than other genres and if audience/producer interactivity impacts the levels of aggression. They found that relational aggression in reality TV is portrayed more than in non-reality television. They also found that females are depicted as more relationally aggressive on reality shows than in non-reality TV. When reality programs were looked at separately from non-reality television, Coyne et al. found that relational aggression was natural only about half of the time. The rest is attributed to the producers artificially implementing situations to cause relational aggression. When producers cause relational aggression, researchers found that it is often rewarded. Overall, Coyne et al. found that relational aggression is extremely prevalent on television, but even more so on reality shows. Their overarching argument is that we should be skeptical when consuming this specific type of media because the depictions are not always accurate, these shows are set up for conflict and our perceptions that they are real can make them even more influential.
Coyne, S. M., Robinson, S. L., & Nelson, D. A. (2010). Does reality backbite? physical, verbal, and relational aggression in
reality television programs. Journal Of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 54(2), 282-298. doi:10.1080/08838151003737931
The clip below is from a popular reality show called Big Brother. House guests stay together and compete for a $500,000 prize. In the clip below, Russell, Jeff and Jordan were aligned until America (or the audience) voted Jeff into the Head of Household position. Russell has a chance of being evicted by the other house guests so he is coming after Jeff and Jordan. He mentions in his interview that getting into this argument is his last shot at making Jeff look bad which would ultimately reward Russell with the opportunity to stay and compete. This is a prime example of audience/producer intervention causing relational aggression between two people who were once friends. The clip also exemplifies the way in which Russell could potentially be rewarded for engaging in this conflict. It is important when viewing reality TV to understand that the conflict presented is not entirely real or natural. We should view reality TV through an informed lens and understand that the environments participants are in foster interpersonal conflict.
WARNING: While video is censored, please view with discretion.
Coyne, S. M., Robinson, S. L., & Nelson, D. A. (2010). Does reality backbite? physical, verbal, and relational aggression in
reality television programs. Journal Of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 54(2), 282-298. doi:10.1080/08838151003737931
The clip below is from a popular reality show called Big Brother. House guests stay together and compete for a $500,000 prize. In the clip below, Russell, Jeff and Jordan were aligned until America (or the audience) voted Jeff into the Head of Household position. Russell has a chance of being evicted by the other house guests so he is coming after Jeff and Jordan. He mentions in his interview that getting into this argument is his last shot at making Jeff look bad which would ultimately reward Russell with the opportunity to stay and compete. This is a prime example of audience/producer intervention causing relational aggression between two people who were once friends. The clip also exemplifies the way in which Russell could potentially be rewarded for engaging in this conflict. It is important when viewing reality TV to understand that the conflict presented is not entirely real or natural. We should view reality TV through an informed lens and understand that the environments participants are in foster interpersonal conflict.
WARNING: While video is censored, please view with discretion.