Study: Social Networks Mirroring Reality TV
New research from the University of Buffalo and University of Hawaii concludes that young people who watch reality TV are more likely to accept a large number of unknown friends and to post photos of themselves on social networking sites than their peers who do not watch shows like American Idol and Survivor. The researchers deemed such behavior "promiscuous."
File this under unsurprising, but interesting none the less.
Such research could lead to any number of other questions, but it does challenge the assertion that high-volume communication online is limited to a select few power-users in the tech industry. In other words, the "Scoble Problem" of Facebook's 5000 friend limit may be effecting people in the world at large.
More likely, the research gives reason to believe that online social networking may not be a fad. Beyond its usefulness for communication, personal expression and directory look-ups, the sites are also working in sync with some of the biggest cultural trends at large.
"Social cognitive theory suggests that we are always looking for different ways to behave," primary researcher Michael Stefanone told the U. of Buffalo school paper. "When people on reality TV are rewarded for behaviors such as being the center of attention and gain celebrity from it, it communicates to the audience that these behaviors are good things."
University coverage of the study concludes with the obligatory reminder that your Paris Hilton-style exploits on Facebook today could lose you a job tomorrow. I haven't found that to be true yet myself, but whatever.
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i have been laughing for about five minutes, a more interesting correlation i have not seen in a long time. thanks for the post.
Posted by: gregory | April 25, 2008 10:03 AM
I heard somewhere once that humans go through a few stages of maturity as we develop. During our teen years we develop our identity by trying things and seeing how the group reacts to us. We crave validation and attention to help us find ourselves. It's interesting to see how the current teens and young adults are the first to carry this rite of passage out on the social web. Look at how many viral videos turn into memes from people copying them: lip syncing, dancing in your living room, the MySpace bathroom mirror pic, etc.
The boundary between Reality TV and YouTube fell when LonelyGirl15 won an award normally reserved for actors on the small screen. For the early adopters, there is no difference between TV and the Web. So, now you don't need to be selected by MTV as one of the chosen few to be on the Real World. You could become famous from your bedroom. I'm sure that seductive possibility plays out in the form of attention seeking behavior on social networks. Far more than even this great study reveals.
Would love to hear a psychologists take on this. Nice find, Marshall!
Posted by: Justin Kistner | April 25, 2008 10:42 AM
I'm totally not surprised, either. I actually think the connects between reality tv and social networks is ever more significant than this study asserts. I posted recently about the connection between realitytv and enterprises companies needing to "get real." http://gobigalways.com/companies-get-real-before-its-too-late/
Ultimately, the mindset of being imperfect and going ugly early is important part of diving in.
Posted by: Sam Lawrence | April 25, 2008 11:01 AM
Young people want to get famous soon and well known and social networking is the best way to do so. So that’s what they are doing. Good post! :-D
Posted by: Siddharth | April 25, 2008 11:37 AM
I’d like to commiserate with those who disdain surveillance and mourn the loss of another world. It’s just that I cannot miss a world I’ve never known. I suggest that if you work hard, perhaps you can live a life too dull and disconnected for anyone to notice you’re even there.
Oh, and by the way it isn’t the Air Miles that’s interesting—it’s the passport. The real system of control? It’s nothing new.
We’ve lived in it for centuries. You can collapse state and capital control into online popular cultural productions. Or, you can blog hard with others who passionately believe in profound cultural shifts, instead of longing for days of yore that exist only in nostalgic romances.
Posted by: chantelle oliver | April 25, 2008 2:11 PM
It all comes down to voyeurism. Humans are innately voyeuristic, social networks and reality television feed that instinct.
"I want to compare you to me." Which is why social networks and reality television are the mediums of choice for young people and people who are insecure with themselves.
Posted by: Chad Allen | April 25, 2008 11:24 PM
you want a promiscuous reality star...
http://www.derober.com/2008/04/25/keeley-hazell-topless-picturesholy-grail/
Posted by: Daily | April 26, 2008 1:16 AM
hmmm yes the Media has a huge responsibility in shaping the minds of the youth! Unfortunately the Minds of the elders are warped and they don't recognize their faults! or they do and their just plain evil hehe!
Posted by: kevinsanthi | April 27, 2008 8:28 PM