Reality Television and Acceptance of Gender Stereotypes

• In Event: Entertainment Media's Effects on Political Perspectives

Abstract

Despite the growing literature exploring the political effects of entertainment media, reality television remains a largely unexamined area for this research. While the political themes of this genre are not as overt as in crime procedurals or political dramas, Swigger (2016) has demonstrated that overt political content is not necessary to induce a significant shift in an audience’s political opinions. Moreover, previous research (e.g., Fogel and Koalenko 2013; Fogel and Shlivko 2016; Glascock and Preston-Schreck 2018) suggest that reality shows can affect the attitudes and even the behavior of their audience, including influencing interpersonal aggression and sexual promiscuity.

Dating shows such as The Bachelor have been the subject of critique by feminist theorists (e.g., Douglas 2010) for their rigid conformity to traditional gender norms. This research aims to discover if viewing The Bachelor has a political impact on various measures of participants’ beliefs about gender and gender norms. Using a sample of undergraduates, we randomly expose them either to an episode of The Bachelor or an episode of MythBusters, a reality show that is not centered on dating and gender dynamics. We discuss the differences between the two groups and suggest some avenues for further research.

Authors

• Timothy G. Hill, Doane College

• Heather E. Yates, University of Central Arkansas