I randomly stumbled upon the above information regarding the effects of Television and though it would hopefully initiate some interesting discussion and reflection.
Interesting Information
What are some effects watching television has on the perceptions that audiences hold?
Viewers who watch more television are more likely to think that
1. the number of people who work as doctors, lawyers, and business people is larger than it is in reality;36
2. to believe more people smoke than in reality;37
3. to have higher expectations of their romantic partners' physical attractiveness and pleasant personality;38
4. and to hold unrealistic expectations about marriage.39
My Reflection
Personally for me there was a period where I was definitely having very unrealistic expectations regarding relationships until reality punched me in the face.
What does TL think? Are you affected in these areas from the television you watch?
References
36. Nancy L. Buerkel-Rothfuss and Sandra Mayes, “Soap Opera Viewing: The Cultivation
Effect,” Journal of Communication 31 (3, 1981): 108-15.
37. James Shanahan, Dietram Scheufele, Fang Yang, and Sonia Hizi, “Cultivation and Spiral
of Silence Effects: The Case of Smoking,” Mass Communication and Society 7 (4, 2004):
413-28.
38. Steven Eggermont, “Television Viewing, Perceived Similarity, and Adolescents’
Expectations of a Romantic Partner,” Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media 48 (2,
2004): 244-65.
39. Chris Segrin and Robin L. Nabi, “Does Television Viewing Cultivate Unrealistic
Expectations about Marriage?,” Journal of Communication 52 (2, 2002): 247-63.