The Psychology of Marathon Television Viewing: Antecedents and Viewer Involvement

• In Event: Psychology of Media Enjoyment

Abstract

This study focuses on the increasingly popular trend of marathon (“binge”) television viewing. It examines the personality antecedents of this media consumption style and tests whether it involves changes in the fundamental psychological experience of viewers relative to the narrative and its characters. In a two-study design, theoretical models of media use and involvement are applied as marathon viewing is considered first as a continuum (predicting the extent of “binge” viewing) and then as a unique form of viewing (comparing “binge” and “traditional” viewing). The study identifies the role of attachment style, depression and self-regulation in the process. Additionally, marathon viewing is found to relate to viewer involvement with both the narrative (transportation) and the characters (PSR, identification). A relationship is found between marathon viewing and eudaimonic, but not hedonic, enjoyment. Results advance understanding of enjoyment and involvement theory and offer support for cognitive theories of media addiction.

Authors

• Riva Tukachinsky, Chapman U

• Keren Eyal, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya