Poster #237 - Media's Influence on Emerging Adults' Implicit Theories of Relationships

• In Event: 1-169 - Poster Session 04
  In Poster Session: PS 04 Section - Technology, Media & Child Development

Integrative Statement

Beliefs and expectations about romantic relationships can significantly impact individuals’ relationship experience and satisfaction (Casad et al., 2015; Ruvolo & Veroff, 1997). One potential source of emerging adults’ (EAs) romantic relationship beliefs is reality programming. In 2000, reality programming made its first appearance in the top 10 rankings, has secured the largest proportion of viewers since 2002, and more than three-quarters of viewers regularly watch it (Neilsen, 2011). Additionally, it has been reported that more than 60% of EAs believe at least some reality romances to be genuine (Tiley, 2016). However, research has not examined whether reality programming can alter EAs’ relationship beliefs.

Genre-specific programs (i.e. romantic dramas) have a greater effect on marital expectations compared to general TV viewing (Hawkins & Pingree, 1982; Segrin & Nabi, 2002). Those who watch more relationship-genre programming also spent more time ruminating and fantasizing about marriage and had stronger intentions to get married and stay married (Segrin & Nabi, 2002; Signorielli, 1991). Relationship beliefs are a facet of individuals’ implicit theories of relationships. For relationships, individuals possess growth (e.g., work-it-out) and destiny (e.g., soulmate) beliefs (Franiuk et al., 2002; Knee, 1998). Destiny believers tend to put more importance on initial relationship satisfaction and are quicker to terminate a relationship when they are not satisfied than growth believers (Franiuk et al., 2002; Knee, 1998).

For part one of this study, EAs (N=121; Mage=19.95 years, SD=3.03; 77% female; 81% Caucasian) completed of a survey which included the Implicit Theories of Relationships Scale (Knee et al., 2003) and questions about media consumption. For part two, EAs (N=81; Mage=20 years, SD=3.52; 75.3% female; 83% Caucasian) were randomly assigned to watch a 60-minute video in the lab. The romantic videos, created from Married at First Sight (Kinetic Content, 2014), emphasized either high growth beliefs or high destiny beliefs. The third video, created from Everyday Miracles (BBC, 2014), was the control. After watching the assigned video, EAs completed the survey again.

To examine EAs’ change in growth and destiny beliefs based on assigned video type, a MANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc analyses was conducted, Wilk’s λ=.77, F(4, 146)=5.22, p<.01. EAs who watched the growth video had a larger increase in their growth beliefs (M=.49, SD=.12) than those who watched the control video (M=.02, SD=.12), p=.019. Additionally, those who watched the growth video had a larger decrease in their destiny beliefs (M=-.66, SD=.15) than those who watched the destiny video (M=.03, SD=.14), p=.004. A step-wise regression revealed that there was not an interaction of romantic media consumption and assigned media content on the change in EAs’ growth or their destiny beliefs.

Supporting Cultivation Theory (Gerbner et al., 1986), these analyses revealed that EAs’ implicit theories of relationships can be altered by media programming. Specifically, reality media programming that encourages a growth mindset about relationships seems to be most influential on emerging adults’ romantic relationship beliefs. Implications of these results for scholars and practitioners will be described.

Authors

• Taylor Kracht, William & Mary
  Presenting Author

• Alaina Birkel, Roanoke College
  Non-Presenting Author

• Darcey N Powell, Roanoke College
  Non-Presenting Author