Female Archetypes in Reality Television

Running head: EXAMINING FEMALE ARCHETYPES

Female Archetypes in Reality Television

Meg Harmon

Longwood University

EXAMINING FEMALE ARCHETYPES 2

Table of Contents

Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………3

Dedication & Acknowledgments………………………………………………………….4

Literature Review………………………………………………………………………….5

Method...…………………………………………………………………………………16

Results……………………………………………………………………………………19

Discussion………………………………………………………………………………..26

Suggestions & Future Research………………………………………………………….30

Work Cited……………………………………………………………………………….32

Appendix A………………………………………………………………………………34


Abstract

Researching reality television female characters, the researcher studies female character

archetypes and how the audience perceives these characters. A survey was taken by 120

college-age, male and female, students. The survey focused on three different reality

television programs: The Bad Girls Club, The Real World, and The Real Housewives of

Orange County. There was neither a difference in male and female participants nor light

viewer and moderate viewer participants. However, there was a statistical difference

between those who said they knew someone in their lives who resembles a character and

those who do not. This research was done to understand audience perception of female

archetypal characters in reality television.

Keywords: reality television, female, archetypes


Dedication

I would like to dedicate this research to my mom and dad, Maggie and Lew

Harmon, for the support throughout my college education. I would also like to dedicate

this to my family for all of their support throughout my life.

Acknowledgments

Of course, I have to recognize Kenzie Higgins for putting up with me, being my

roommate, cooking and feeding me, and being my nurse throughout my four years at

Longwood University. I would also like to thank Sara Stone for being my “comm.

buddy,” freaking out over assignments with me, and successfully fulfilling the buddy

system throughout college. Finally, I need to thank my colleagues for your proof reading

and all of my professors who have taught me life and academic skills to be able to put

this thesis together.


The Reality of Female Archetypes in Reality Television

Introduction

Technology has become a staple in American society and with technology comes

access to more information. Television alone is different from other media; Gerbner and

Gross (1976) explain, “Unlike newspaper and magazines, television does not require

literacy. Unlike movies, it runs continuously…Unlike radio, it can show as well as tell.

Unlike theater or movies, it does not require leaving your home” (2). Gerbner and Gross

explain the unlimited access that television provides. Reality television is a form of

programming which can have a great affect on the audience. Charles Slocum writes

about the history of reality television explaining Candid Camera in 1948 is credited with

being the first of reality television followed by many other shows. In 1992, The Real

World set up scenarios where “‘reality’” could happen (Slocum, 2010). Slocum suggests

the “staged reality shows increasingly borrowed from the concept of game shows”

(Slocum, 2010). Reality television may not be as real as many perceive it to be which

affects viewers if they believe characters are real. Murray (2004) explains reality

television as “encompass[ing] a wide range of non-fiction formats including gamedocs,

makeover programs, talent contests, docusoaps, dating shows, court programs, tabloid

newsmagazine shows, and reality-based sitcoms.” Women are showcased in reality

television in many different ways that can affect an audience in how they view women.

The purpose of this study will be to discover if college-aged students are influenced by

female characters in reality television. Research has found by what means women are

presented in reality television, but not if the portrayals influence audiences. Two theories

will guide this study: cultivation theory and social cognitive learning theory.


Theoretical Grounding

The Cultivation Theory by George Gerbner suggests that television has become a

main understanding of society (Griffin, 2008). Gerbner advises that heavy viewers of

television are affected by the violence and crime portrayed and begins to believe these

acts are a normal way of life. Gerbner and Gross (1976) suggest heavy viewers watch

four or more hours of television daily. Even though this theory focuses on violence and

crime in media, this theory can be extended and applied to the attitudes towards women

that the media provides. If people are constantly seeing women portrayed in a certain

way, then those affected by cultivation theory will believe all women are like this.

A second theory, social cognitive learning theory, proposes that people learn from

observing others in certain environments and social contexts (Gibson, 2004). This theory

supports my research because young adults and college-aged people may still be

impressionable and if certain messages are being communicated through reality

television, these people will believe this is how women are and should act. Therefore,

according to this theory, young adults and college-aged students may learn the role of a

woman, based on society’s standards, from watching reality television.

Research Problem

Understanding if college-aged students are influenced by the portrayals of women

in reality television is important to understand because women are being characterized by

how they are portrayed here, based on the research that follows. The communication

phenomenon which is the focus of this study is cultivation theory and the extent to which

reality television is influencing viewers of female roles. Specifically, women and men,

college-aged will be studied to determine if their attitudes and beliefs towards women is


influenced. The Bad Girls Club, Real Housewives of Orange County, and The Real

World are television programs that portray women in both stereotypical and non-

traditional ways. Most research on females in media has focused on stereotypes and

character portrayals; however, this research will focus on the audience and their

understanding of female characters and personal relationships.

The Reality of Characters in Media

Reality television has the ability to influence individuals in how they understand

the world to be. This being said, reality shows that focus on women such as The Bad

Girls Club and The Real Housewives of Orange County and shows that do not focus on

women but have strong female characters such as The Real World can keep men and

women thinking this is how real women act. Examples of how women are portrayed

include being hyper-symbolized, which are characters that are more intensely symbolized

by their characteristics (Brancato, 2007). In Wife Swap, mothers switch lives mothers of

conflicting characteristics. For example, a very organized, disciplined mom will switch

lives with a very disorganized, care-free mom. This show focuses on the mothers’

characteristics which makes their character hyper-symbolized. Flat characters are

showcased by having predictable personalities (Cato, 2008). Traditional fairy-tale, where

marriage is the greatest prize and a goal that life is spent trying to accomplish, is

consistently shown on television (Graham-Bertolini, 2004). Female characters are

portrayed as having an identity struggle since women do not have to fit the traditional

gender role anymore (Morgan, 2007). This is an issue because women are not expected

to be Mrs. Cleaver anymore, she can be whomever she chooses but television is

portraying women as struggling with this idea.


Studies have also concluded that women who watch more reality television will

express earlier expectations of peer sexual timing, or when one may feel ready to act out

sexually (Clark & Nabi, 2007). Ferris, Smith, Greenberg, and Smith (2007) concluded

that women are more looked upon as sex objects than not in reality television, based on

appearance, and that dating is considered as a game. Shanahan, Signorielli, and Morgan

(2008) found that heavy viewers of television were more likely to view gender roles

traditionally. Heavy viewers, according to Gerbner and Gross (1976), watch four or more

hours of television a day. This is important because it shows that television does have an

effect on this audience. Therefore, audience members who are heavy viewers may be

more likely to be influenced by portrayals of women including female archetypes and

stereotypes in reality television.

Women are Hyper-symbolized and Flat Characters in Reality Television

Women are characterized as being hyper-symbolized, characters whose

personalities are exaggerated and flat characters, characters who are predictable

(Brancato, 2007 & Cato, 2008). For example, some female characters may be

exaggerated with such characteristics as being beautiful, girly, butch, etc. Flat characters

may hold characteristics as perfectionists or being carefree where their actions can be

predicted easily. This is important to this study because audiences may look down upon

characters who are being exaggerated or predictable making the characters appear one

dimensional and conventional. Brancato (2007) explains that women are “hyper-

symbolized” throughout reality television (51). In shows such as Wife Swap and Nanny

911, the roles of women are presented dramatically to intensify their character. In Wife

Swap, certain characteristics are mocked and then the wives swap lives with someone


possessing completely opposite characteristics. For example, extremely feminine wives

who really care about their appearance may switch lives with a very uncomplicated wife

who never spends time or money on herself.

Cato (2008) focused on the television show Beauty and the Geeks, and suggested

the characters on the show are flat, or easily predictable. This presents women with one

main characteristic, which could be anything from flirtatious to confrontational, that will

drive their existence on the show similar to being hyper-symbolized. As women are

being characterized certain ways, their characteristics are shaping society’s beliefs.

Brancato (2007) and Cato (2008) introduced hyper-symbolized and flat

characters, respectively. Their research suggests that women are portrayed a certain ways

through reality television. Characters that are hyper-symbolized or flat may have

negative connotations attached which can have an impact on how women view other

women on reality television. Not only could women think of themselves as being hyper-

symbolized or flat, they may begin to pin other women in their lives as acting this way.

Women Treated as Objects in Reality Television

Women are treated as objects throughout reality television which is vital to

recognize because in terms of Cultivation Theory, heavy viewers are likely to believe this

is normal. Cato (2008) discussed the flat characters in the show Beauty and the Geeks.

This description of a character being flat make the show participant appear as an object

because the audience knows exactly how the character is going to act. The beginning of

the show presents the stereotypical geeks and beauties (sexual objects) and then they

morph into more sophisticated individuals by the final episode.


Brancato (2007) discusses the show Wife Swap explaining that the mothers swap

lives, homes, and families as opposed to the fathers swapping lives in these shows. This

shows women as objects because their domestic or non-domestic experience is what is

getting traded in order for the family to appreciate their habits. Aside from women being

treated as objects, love and sex are also treated as objects in media which can have the

audience believing reality television relationships are normal.

Reality television presents love and sex as a game that must be won. Graham-

Bertolini (2004) analyze episode one of Joe Millionaire, investigating the views of

women, “They flaunt their sexuality as a means of gaining advantage, but are ultimately

punished for this” (342). One contestant lay across the Bachelor’s lap and was later

released from the show because the Bachelor did not condone this behavior. The show

also shows the women fighting for their main prize: love and marriage, “Their degrees,

careers, and loved ones are marginalized for the change to accomplish what is being

touted as women’s primary objective, marriage” (342).

Cato (2008), Brancato (2007), and Graham-Bertolini (2004) conclude that women

are shown as sexual, domestic, and traditional objects through reality television shows.

Cultivation theory would suggest heavy viewing audiences watching women being

treated as sexual objects in reality television is normal.

Reality Television Reinforces Societal Attitudes

Reality television reinforces societal attitudes by presenting women as

stereotypical characters and not as real characters which audiences may be expecting.

Graham-Bertolini (2004) used Joe Millionaire as a study topic to focus on the traditional

perception of women and their fairy-tale life, where single women are on the search for


their soul-mate in order to feel successful in life. This reinforces societal attitudes on

women which can make them feel marriage is the ultimate goal in life and without true

love, life is not complete. This article discusses how the show plays off the fairy-tale

dream with such scenery as a castle, the bachelor (prince) riding up on a horse, and a

butler to serve the women as they so please.

Morgan (2007) contradicts Graham-Bertolini because this author suggests that

female roles are changing and, using Desperate Housewives as an example, suggests that

the show proposes that women can strive for whatever they want. Desperate Housewives

is similar to reality television because it draws on the everyday lives of, in this case,

women. Morgan says the women no longer have gender roles to fulfill and the show

frames identity struggles that women face. “...American society presents conflicting

expectations of what it means to be an ideal woman” (112).

Clark and Nabi (2007) studied how women’s sexual timing, or when she feels

ready to be sexually active, was affected by watching reality television. The study

concluded that women were more concerned with their sexual timing. People may be

worried about how others will perceive them and this study shows how sexual beliefs are

influencing societal attitudes through reality television. Adolescents who watch

television that incorporates sexual content, according to past research, has youth

overestimating their peers in being more sexually engaged, abortion rates, and

pregnancies.

Punyanunt-Carter (2010) studied how men and women view love and

relationships from television and the results conclude that men and women view televised

relationships, love, and sexual activities the same. Whereas men and women view the


realism of love, sex, and romance similarly, each party views the acts of love, sex, and

romance differently when on television. This reinforces societal beliefs because women

do find love, sex, and romance to mean different things than men. Punyanunt-Carter

explains men view sex on television as realistic while women believed representation of

love are more realistic. This study suggests that men and women may be influenced

differently through television.

Jennings-Walstedt, Geis, and Brown (1980) studied television commercials and

the self-esteem of women viewing the commercials. The authors claim, “Television

commercials telescope and exaggerate the same stereotypes that girls and women have

been exposed to throughout their lives, not only at home and at school but from all mass

media” (203). Commercials are seen hundreds of times a day but television shows are

also repeated over and over. Another study by Saito (2007) studied female gender roles

on television in Japan. Saito found female characters were illustrated as having

traditional female occupations such as working in “nightclubs” (515). Again, this

reinforces societal attitudes about gender roles because women are constantly being

shown in the same manner. If society is constantly seeing women in a certain manner,

eventually, society will come to believe this is how women are to act. Not to mention,

society may connect these characters to people in their personal lives which continues to

reinforce society’s beliefs of women.

Graham-Bertolini (2004), Morgan (2007), Clark and Nabi (2007), Punyanunt-

Carter, Jennings-Walstedt, Geis, and Brown (1980), and Saito (2007) show how societal

attitudes are reinforced through reality television. By reinforcing societal attitudes and


beliefs, stereotypical portrayals of women will continue to place negative attention on

women.

Stereotyped Character Representations in the Media

Repeating character stereotypes is a way media are able to set societal norms in

gender roles among other things. However, non-traditional characters that are not

necessarily stereotypes may still leave an audience reflecting upon certain characters.

Reep and Dambrot (1989) studied the impact of television on the viewer. The authors

state, “Greenberg has advanced the ‘Drench’ hypothesis.'* That is, viewers may not be

influenced by continual repetition of images, but rather some particular characters or

programs may have an intense and significant impact on viewers” (542). This is

important to note because viewers may become used to repeated images and ideas of

stereotyped characters; however, non-traditional characters presented in programs could

have a more lasting impression on the audience. If programs repeatedly have non-

traditional characters that provide lasting impressions the audience may become more

aware of female representations and believing this is true of all women.

Reality television has the opportunity to mold minds and create stereotypes for

many different groups of people. Much research focuses on minorities such as

homosexuals and people of color or different ethnicities in the media. Although men are

not the focus of this research, one study shows that men are being stereotyped in the

media. Joshua Gamson focuses on how homosexuals are stereotyped in talk shows and

how media portrays them. Gamson (1998) states, “Given the genre’s emphasis on

individual character, an unsympathetic homosexual can undermine a show’s sympathy

for homosexual’s in general” (565). He explains that one homosexual can determine


show viewers’ attitudes towards all gays. This is also known as essentializing or naming

an entire group of people. This can be detrimental to viewers watching this show because

their sole opinion of a group will be based off a single stereotype and this could easily

happen to women as they are shown in reality programs.

Reality television is supposed to show the reality of citizens under certain

circumstances. For example, The Bad Girls Club has women living in a mansion for

several weeks, given free alcohol, and taped in order to show what happens under these

conditions. Women are continuously put in conditions to show them as a stereotypical

bitch, superficial, or alcoholic person. West (1995) discusses the perceptions of black

women in the media including women that fill the three main perceptions of black

women: Mammy, Jezebel, and Sapphire. Mammy represents “subordinate, nurturing,

self-sacrificing,” black women in media which includes Aunt Jemima and the Pine-Sol

Lady (West, 289). “’Hoochies,’ ‘freaks,’ ‘hoodrats,’ and ‘chickenheads,’” are

characteristics represented by Jezebels which include dancers in hip-hop videos (West,

294). Finally, Sapphires have characteristics that include “hostile, nagging Black…

‘gangsta girl’ who is equally as violent as her male peers” and include characters such as

Omarosa from The Apprentice (West, 296). She explains that each character Mammy,

Jezebel, and Sapphire provide the most common African American stereotypes that

appear on television. If society constantly sees this archetype of black women in the

media, society is going to believe this is how black women act and may begin seeing

important women in their lives such as a mother or daughter that fit these stereotypes

shown on television.


Overall, the research reviewed here demonstrates that reality television research

has focused on how characters are portrayed through this channel of communication.

Women have been presented many different ways including: hyper-symbolized

(Brancato, 2007), flat characters (Cato, 2008), traditional fairy-tale where marriage is the

prize (Graham-Bertolini), and identity struggle since women do not have to fit the

traditional role (Morgan). However, research has not focused on how the audience is

affected by the portrayals of women in reality television. It is possible that students

create archetypes from reality television and may be greatly influenced by what this

source of media provides society as normal lives of women. Therefore, with this research

and the gap missing in this research, these research questions are presented:

RQ1: Do college-aged students who watch reality television shows interpret
acquaintances through characters or character archetypes from The Real Housewives of
Orange County, The Bad Girls Club Season 4, and The Real World Cancun?

RQ2: Do college-aged students who watch reality television shows interpret their family/
friends through The Real Housewives of Orange County, The Bad Girls Club Season 4,
and The Real World Cancun?

RQ3: Do college-aged students who watch reality television shows interpret their own
identities through The Real Housewives of Orange County, The Bad Girls Club Season 4,
and The Real World Cancun?

RQ4: How do college-age students define archetypal female characters in reality
television shows?

RQ5: Are persons who are heavy consumers of reality television programming more
likely to interpret others as character archetypes?

RQ6: Are persons who are heavy consumers of reality television programming more
likely to interpret themselves as character archetypes?


Method

Through my research I have examined the ways in which the audience perceives

female characters in reality television. Reality television presents female characters in

certain roles that are believed to represent women including the fairy-tale lifestyle,

editing women to appear as sexual objects, and reinforcing stereotypical representations.

Women shown in reality television may be archetypes to viewers because viewers may

understand these characters to be the epitome of all women. For this reason, I researched

college-aged students to understand their understandings of female characters in reality

television.

Participants

Participants included a total of 120 students participated including 4 males and

116 female college students who agreed voluntarily participate in this research survey.

The survey required students to have certain qualifiers before continuing one of which

being that students needed to be familiar with the reality television shows The Bad Girls

Club, The Real Housewives of Orange County, and The Real World. It is important to for

both sexes to be studied because men may view female characters the same way as

women. It is important to study those who are familiar with reality television because

this audience will be more in tune with the perceptions of certain characters, the format of

reality television, and what to expect from this channel of communication.

Participants for this survey were recruited through Longwood University’s

Communication 200 classes (Communication Theory). Professors from these classes

encouraged students to attend and also provided students with the information to take the

survey. Facebook and E-mails were also used to recruit students.


Survey

The survey was designed as post-test only; where the treatment is the participants’

previous viewing of reality television shows that are the focuses of the current study. The

survey was posted online through Survey Monkey for the convenience of participants. A

Facebook event was created with a URL directing students to the survey, as well as,

E-mails sent out with the URL asking students to participate. This study will work well

by using quantitative research in the form of surveys (see appendix A for survey).

The survey was developed on my own using such styles as the Likert Scale, yes

and no questions, and video clips followed by open ended questions which took students

ten to fifteen minutes to complete. The questions were based of the two research

questions presented. The survey consisted of six pages: one informed consent, one on

qualifications, one on demographics, and three pages focusing on the study. The three

pages on the study consisted of 19 questions not including four video clips participants

were asked to view before a few questions.

Survey Video Clips

The first clip is from the Bad Girls Club featuring Natalie with the length of the

clip being one minute, twenty-four seconds. Natalie makes fun of a housemate, Annie,

and claims to be picking on her to see if Annie really is a bad girl. Natalie constantly

provokes housemates trying to show her dominance and power within the house. Natalie

is a very outspoken and loud individual who declares to “Run L.A.” Natalie does curses

at the end of this clip. The purpose of this clip is to see if students believe they have a

“Natalie” in their life.


The second clip is from the Real Housewives of Orange County featuring

Gretchen and the length of the clip is two minutes, eleven seconds. Gretchen goes in for

a cellulite treatment to her thighs and constantly talks about her body appearance while

she is there. This video shows how Gretchen is concerned with her appearance and

encourages women to fix problems they have with their body that they are insecure

about. However, a glance at her thighs there is no cellulite to be seen. The purpose of

this clip is to see if students believe they have a “Gretchen” in their life.

The third clip features Jasmine from Real World Cancun and is two minutes,

thirty seconds in length. Jasmine is known to be a drinker and when she shows up drunk

one night her roommate, Emilee, decides to talk to her about it. Jasmine gets defensive

and the roommates begin arguing. Jasmine shows a stubborn and argumentative

personality in this clip while she is drunk. The purpose of this clip is to see if students

believe they have a “Jasmine” in their life.

The final clip features Alexis from the Real Housewives of Orange County and is

two minutes thirty seconds long. Alexis, similar to most women of this show, is very

fashion forward and a worried about their appearance. Alexis is shopping for a horse race

hat and her conversation with the store owner shows what is fashionably acceptable for

the race. The clip shows the importance of picking a hat first and then buy an outfit

around the hat. The purpose of this clip is to see if students believe they have an

“Alexis” in their life.


Operationalization of Variables

Variables in this study included the male versus female students and light versus

moderate viewers of reality television. T-tests were used to find the results of the survey

between the two groups of variables listed above.

Results

A survey was set up to understand viewer perceptions of reality television

archetypes. A total of 120 students participated in the survey, 4 being male and 116

being female. The survey was designed as post-test only; where the treatment is the

participants’ previous viewing of reality television shows that are the focuses of the

current study. The survey was developed on my own using such styles as the Likert

Scale, yes and no questions, and video clips followed by open ended questions which

took students ten to fifteen minutes to complete. Questions 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, and 15 show

results of a T-Test, questions 19, 22, 25, and 28 show results of a Chi Square Test, and

questions 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16-18, 20-21, 23-24, and 26-27 show the results of a content

analysis.

T-Test

Page three of survey: results.

For question three in the survey, “I find myself comparing myself with reality

television characters,” no statistically significant differences were found between men

(m= 4.25, sd= .957) and women (m= 3.66, sd= 1.119), t(46)= 1.020, (p= .313). No

statistically significant difference was found for this item between light viewers (m=

3.69, sd= 1.072) and moderate viewers (m= 3.74, sd= 1.195), t(46)= -.143, (p= .887).

This satisfies research question three.


Question five in the survey, “I find myself comparing family members with

reality television characters,” shows no statistically significant differences were found

between men (m= 3.75, sd= 1.500) and women (m= 4.24, sd= .957), t(47)= -.947, (p= .

348). No statistically significant difference was found for this item between light viewers

(m= 4.17, sd= 1.002) and moderate viewers (m= 4.25, sd= 1.020), t(47)= -.264, (p= .

793). This satisfies research question two.

Question seven in the survey, “I find myself comparing friends with reality

television characters,” shows no statistically significant differences were found between

men (m= 4.00, sd= 1.414) and women (m= 3.27, sd= 1.268), t(47)= 1.100, (p= .277). No


3.45, sd= 1.298) and moderate viewers (m= 3.15, sd= 1.268), t(47)= .798, (p= .429).

This satisfies research question two.

For question nine in the survey, “I find myself comparing acquaintances with

reality television characters,” no statistically significant differences were found between

men (m= 4.00, sd= .816) and women (m= 3.89, sd= 1.153), t(47)= .188, (p= .852). No


3.90, sd= 1.145) and moderate viewers (m= 3.90, sd= 1.119), t(47)= -.010, (p= .992).

This satisfies research question one.

Page four of survey: results.

Question eleven in the survey asks, “Have you ever been told by someone that

you resemble a reality television character?” shows no statistically significant differences

were found between men (m= 1.75, sd= .500) and women (m= 1.76, sd= .435), t(47)=

-.024, (p= .981). No statistically significant difference was found for this item between


light viewers (m= 1.76, sd= .435) and moderate viewers (m= 1.75, sd= .444), t(47)= .068,

(p= .946). This satisfies research question three.

Question thirteen in the survey asks, “Have you ever told someone that they

remind you of a certain character in reality television?” shows no statistically significant

differences were found between men (m= 1.75, sd= .500) and women (m= 1.64, sd= .

484), t(47)= .417, (p= .679). No statistically significant difference was found for this

item between light viewers (m= 1.69, sd= .471) and moderate viewers (m= 1.60, sd= .

503), t(47)= .637, (p= .527). This satisfies research question one and two.

Question fifteen in the survey asks, “Do you find yourself having similarities with

certain characters in reality television?” shows no statistically significant differences

were found between men (m= 1.25, sd= .500) and women (m= 1.58, sd= .499), t(47)=

-1.258, (p= .215). No statistically significant difference was found for this item between

light viewers (m= 1.52, sd= .509) and moderate viewers (m= 1.60, sd= .503), t(47)= .563,

(p= .576). This satisfies research question three and six.

Chi Square Test

Page five of survey: results.

Focusing on The Bad Girls Club, question nineteen inquired, “Do you know

someone in your life that resembles [Natalie’s] character?”, there was no statistically

significant difference between those who said they knew someone in their lives who

resembles the character and those who do not: x²(1, N=49) = 2.469, (p= .116). This

satisfies research question two and three.

Focusing on from The Real Housewives of Orange County, question twenty-two

asked, “Do you know someone in your life that resembles [Gretchen’s] character?”


shows a statistically significant difference between those who said they knew someone in

their lives who resembles the character and those who do not: x²(1, N=49) =5.898, (p= .

015). This satisfies research question two and three.

Focusing on The Real World, question twenty-five inquired, “Do you know

someone in your life that resembles [Jasmine’s] character?” shows a statistically

significant difference between those who said they knew someone in their lives who

resembles the character and those who do not: x²(1, N=49) =7.367, (p= .007). This

satisfies research question two and three.

Focusing on The Real Housewives of Orange County, question twenty-eight

asked, “Do you know someone in your life that resembles [Alexis’] character?” shows a

statistically significant difference between those who said they knew someone in their

lives who resembles the character and those who do not: x²(1, N=49) =7.367, (p= .007).

This satisfies research question two and three.

Content Analysis

Page three of survey: results.

For question four, participants were asked, “I find myself comparing myself with

reality television characters? If yes, which character(s) from what show(s)?” in an open-

ended question. While character responses were few and varied, 11 of 17 responses

suggested they find themselves comparing themselves to characters from The Real

World. This satisfies research question six.

Question six inquired, “I find myself comparing family members with reality

television characters? If yes, which character(s) from what show(s)?” Only 7 students


responded, 3 of which answered comparing family members to the show The Real

Housewives. This satisfies research question five.

Question eight refers to friends which asked, “I find myself comparing friends

with reality television characters? If yes, which character(s) from what show(s)?” Of the

14 participants that responded: 5 answered The Real World, 5 answered The Real

Housewives, and 7 answered The Bad Girls Club. Other answers included The Jersey

Shore and Family Guy. This satisfies research question five.

Asking about acquaintances, question ten inquired, “I find myself comparing

acquaintances with reality television characters? If yes, which character(s) from what

show(s)?” There were only two responses one being Jersey Shore, the other being Real

Housewives of Orange County. This satisfies research question five.

Page four of survey: results.

When question twelve asked, “Have you ever been told by someone that you

resemble a reality television character? If yes, which character(s) from what show(s)?”

seven participants responded: 2 stated The Real World, the rest answered: The Hills,

Laguna Beach, Jersey Shore, The Kardashians, The Bachelor, Rachel Ray, and Bad

Girls Club. This satisfies research question one, two, and six.

Question fourteen asked, “Have you ever told someone that they remind you of a

certain character in reality television? If yes, which character(s) from what show(s)?”

Twelve participants responded: 3 stated The Real World, 3 stated The Real Housewives

of Orange County, 3 responded Jersey Shore, and the rest answered The Hills, The Bad

Girls Club, The Bachelor, and The Kardashians. This satisfies research question five.


Question sixteen inquired, “Do you find yourself having similarities with certain

characters in reality television? If yes, which character(s) from what show(s)?” 7 of 11

respondents replied The Real World, 2 stated The Bad Girls Club, the rest answered The

Real Housewives of Orange County, and The Bachelor. This satisfies research question

six and three.

Page five of survey: results.

Questions seventeen and eighteen refer to Natalie’s character from The Bad Girls

Club. Respondents were asked to watch a one minute, twenty-four second clip from the

show in which Natalie makes fun of a housemate, Annie, and claims to be picking on her

to see if Annie really is a bad girl. Natalie constantly provokes other housemates

throughout the show; this clip just shows the bullying towards Annie.

Respondents in the sample used words such as bitch, obnoxious, and annoying.

When asked to describe Natalie in one word, question seventeen showed bitch to be the

most frequent response (n= 10). Question eighteen asked to provide additional

descriptions of Natalie, respondents used words such as rude (n= 18), annoying (n=16),

obnoxious (n=15), and bitch (n=15). Question seventeen and eighteen both satisfy

research question four.

Questions twenty and twenty-one refer to Gretchen’s character from The Real

Housewives of Orange County. Respondents were asked to watch a two minutes, eleven

second clip from the show in which Gretchen goes in for a cellulite treatment to her

thighs and constantly talks about her body appearance while she is there. This video

shows how Gretchen is concerned with her appearance and encourages women to fix


problems they have with their body that they are insecure about. However, a glance at

her thighs there is no cellulite to be seen.

Respondents in the sample used words such as obsessed, self-conscious, and

conceited. When asked to describe Natalie in one word, question twenty showed

obsessed to be the most frequent response (n= 6). Question twenty-one asked to provide

additional descriptions of Gretchen, respondents used words such as superficial/vein

(n=19), obsessed (n=14), and self-conscious (n=13). Questions twenty and twenty-one

both satisfy research question four.

Questions twenty-three and twenty-four refer to Jasmine’s character from The

Real World. Respondents were asked to watch a two minutes, thirty second clip from the

show in which Jasmine shows up drunk one night and her roommate, Emilee, decides to

talk to her about it. Jasmine gets defensive and the roommates begin arguing. Jasmine

shows a stubborn and argumentative personality in this clip while she is drunk.

Respondents in the sample used words such as drunk/alcoholic, loud, and crazy.

When asked to describe Jasmine in one word, question twenty-three showed

drunk/alcoholic to be the most frequent response (n= 8). Question twenty-four asked to

provide additional descriptions of Jasmine, respondents used words such as

drunk/alcoholic (n=24), loud (n=12), and obnoxious/annoying (n=11). Questions twenty-

three and twenty-four both satisfy research question four.

Questions twenty-six and twenty-seven refer to Alexis’ character from The Real

Housewives of Orange County. Respondents were asked to watch a two minutes thirty

second long clip from the show in which Alexis, similar to most women of this show, is

very fashion forward and a worried about their appearance. Alexis is shopping for a horse


race hat and her conversation with the store owner shows what is fashionably acceptable

for the race. The clip shows the importance of first picking a hat and then buying an

outfit around the hat.

Respondents in the sample used words such as rich, materialistic, spoiled. When

asked to describe Alexis in one word, question twenty-six showed rich to be the most

frequent response (n=6). Question twenty-seven asked to provide additional descriptions

of Alexis, respondents used words such as self-conscious (n=24), spoiled (n=11), and

materialistic (n=8). Questions twenty-six and twenty-seven each satisfy research

question four.

Other Results

Page three of the survey was not consistent with page five when participants were

asked to watch a clip and report if there was someone like that is their life. Although the

questions asked similar questions, participants claimed to not link characters to real life

people such as themselves, family members, friends, or acquaintances; however, after

watching the video clips, more respondents did claim to have someone similar to the

reality television characters in their life.

Discussion

The purpose of this research was to examine audience understanding of female

character archetypes in reality television. Through a survey of 120 college students, the

results showed that there is neither difference between men and women nor light and

moderate viewers. However, there was a statistical difference between those who said

they knew someone in their lives who resembles a character and those who do not.


Men and Women & Light and Moderate Viewers

There were neither differences between men and women nor light and moderate

viewers. Having no difference with light and moderate viewers supports Gerbner’s

Cultivation Theory which suggests that heavy viewers of television are affected by the

violence and crime portrayed and begins to believe these acts are a normal way of life

(Griffin 2008). While this theory is used in extension to reality television and character

archetypes, it still stands that light and moderate viewers showed no difference in how

they view characters in reality television. This suggests, college-age students who watch

reality television do not interpret themselves, family, friends, or acquaitances with reality

television characters from The Bad Girls Club, The Real World, or The Real Housewives

of Orange County (research questions one, two, and three). The results also propose that

persons who are heavy consumers of reality television programming may be more likely

to interpret themselves as character archetypes since there were no heavy viewers

participating in the survey (research question six). Finally, results continue to support

cultivation theory since there were no heavy viewers participating in the survey which

may suggest persons who are heavy consumers of reality television programming may be

more likely to interpret others as character archetypes (research question five).

Character Archetypes

The following discussion explains how college-age students define reality

television archetypes (research question four). The most frequent descriptions of Natalie

were bitch, obnoxious, and annoying. Overall, responses demonstrate a pattern of a bitch

and a mean girl. As a result of this pattern, the researcher describes this female character

archetype as The Bitch.


Frequent descriptions of Gretchen were obsessed, self-conscious, and conceited.

In general, responses demonstrate a pattern of being shallow and pretentious. As a result

of this pattern, the researcher describes this female character archetype as The Superficial

Snob.

Jasmine had the most frequent descriptions that included being a drunk/alcoholic,

loud, and crazy. Overall, responses demonstrate a pattern of a drunk, wild child. As a

result of this pattern, the researcher describes this female character archetype as The

Stubborn Drunk.

Finally, the most frequent descriptions of Alexis were rich, materialistic, spoiled.

Overall, responses demonstrate a pattern of being spoiled and a “fashionista”. As a result

of this pattern, the researcher describes this female character archetype as The Spoiled

Fashionista.

Each of the characters listed above have distinct characteristics which viewers

recognize. From the results, respondents generally gave the same or similar

characteristics for each separate character. This appears to support the understanding of

hyper-symbolized, characters whose personalities are exaggerated and flat characters,

characters who are predictable (Brancato, 2007 & Cato, 2008) because viewers were able

to provide similar responses about the characters. For example, Jasmine had recurrent

responses suggesting she is a drunk or an alcoholic. This suggests that her character is

exaggerated because viewers were able to label her and also that she is predictable

because viewers recognized this behavior.

Natalie, Gretchen, and Alexis support Morgan (2007) as the author suggests that

female roles are changing and, using Desperate Housewives as an example, suggests that


the show proposes that women can strive for whatever they want. Natalie is able to be

bold and bitch which used to not be an accepted trait in a female. Gretchen and Alexis

are able to flaunt their wealth and worry about their appearance which, again, used to not

be an acceptable female trait. Morgan (2007) says the women no longer have gender

roles to fulfill. “...American society presents conflicting expectations of what it means to

be an ideal woman” (112). While Natalie is being independent, audiences may frame her

as a bitch which shows a conflicting idea of a woman. However, Gretchen wants to make

her body appear flawless because she has the resources to do so, she is labeled as

conceited and superficial. Finally, Alexis has money to buy the nicest hat for the horse

race she is attending and she is labeled as spoiled and materialistic. These three women

are being branded for living independent lives of women.

Alexis supports Graham-Bertolini (2004) where this study focused Joe

Millionaire and the traditional perception of women trying to find their fairy-tale life and

single women on the search for their soul-mate in order to feel successful in life. Alexis

appears to lead a perfect life where she can spend her husband’s money on a fancy hat for

a horse race but instead of being marked as a princess she is labeled as spoiled and

materialistic.

Reep and Dambrot (1989) studied the impact of television on the viewer and

concluded “…that is, viewers may not be influenced by continual repetition of images,

but rather some particular characters or programs may have an intense and significant

impact on viewers” (542). This may suggest why Natalie had no statistical results while

Gretchen, Jasmine, and Alexis did. Natalie, labeled as the bitch, may be seen on

numerous shows more often. However, body image has changed over time and become


more drastic today which may explain Gretchen’s label as being superficial. Alexis is not

fitting a traditional gender role of taking care of her family, she is able to spend her

husband’s money all day.

Suggestions and Future Research

Suggestions

Suggestions for researching female character archetypes in reality television, I

would suggest using interviews or survey with video clips of characters and have

participants relate those characters back to the interviewee’s or survey participant’s life.

Result for the questions where participants were given a video clip and probed on the

characters seemed to provide more in-depth information regarding female archetypes in

reality television. Participants were able to describe the characters and think about if a

character was represented in their lives more thoroughly.

Future research

Focusing on the process of this research and results, I would suggest focusing on

white, female character archetypes because there is very little research and understanding

of those characters. Whiteness is far too often unrecognized as a race and while much

research stands of black female characters, little is understood for white female

characters. Another aspect of this research that would be interesting to focus on is class.

Alexis and Gretchen are obviously extremely wealthy but does the audience look up and

respect their lifestyle or is the audience jealous and offended by their status?

Limitations

Conducting this research presented a few limitations which need to be taken into

consideration for the purposes of understanding the results. One limitation that this


research faced is the lack of participation for the survey through Longwood’s community.

Out of over 5,000 students at this university, only 120 students participated in the survey.

There was also a limitation of having the survey sent out to other universities to get a

greater diversity from Longwood’s campus. Another limitation includes the lack of male

participation. Of the 120 student participants, 116 females and only 4 males took the

survey which may have produced different results.

Further limitations included participants skipping questions, particularly the

questions following the video clips and open ended questions. While most questions

were answered, participants answered yes and no questions and likert scale questions

more.

Conclusion

This research focuses on female character archetypes and how the audience

perceives these characters. A survey was taken by 120 college-age, male and female,

students. The survey focused on three different reality television programs: The Bad

Girls Club, The Real World, and The Real Housewives of Orange County. There was

neither a difference in male and female participants nor light viewer and moderate viewer

participants. However, there was a statistical difference between those who said they

knew someone in their lives who resembles a character and those who do not. This

research was done to understand audience perception of female archetypal characters in

reality television.


References

Brancato, J. (2007, September). Domesticating Politics: The Representation of Wives
and Mothers in American Reality Television. Film & History (03603695), 37(2),
49-56. Retrieved September 28, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database.

Cato, M. (2008). Stereotypes, Gender Roles, and Transformation on Reality TV: Is
Beauty and the Geek's Social Experiment a Success?. Conference Papers –
International Communication Association, 1-25.
http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.longwood.edu

Clark, S., & Nabi, R. (2007). Television Consumption and Young Women's Expectations
of Sexual Timing. Conference Papers -- International Communication
Association, 1. http://search.ebscohost.com

Ferris, A., Smith, S., Greenberg, B., & Smith, S. (2007, September). The Content of
Reality Dating Shows and Viewer Perceptions of Dating. Journal of
Communication, 57(3), 490-510. Retrieved September 28, 2009,
doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.2007.00354.x

Gamson, J. (2002). Sitting Ducks and Forbidden Fruits. Gender, Race, and Class in
Media: A Text-Reader (2nd ed., pp. 553-569). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications,
Inc.

Gerbner, G., & Gross, L. (1976). The Scary World of TV's Heavy Viewer. Psycology
Today Magazine. Retrieved April 12, 2010, from
ftp.beitberl.ac.il/~bbsite/misc/ezer_anglit/klali/05_86.pdf

Gibson, S. K. (2004). Social Learning (Cognitive) Theory and Implications for Human
Resource Development -- Gibson 6 (2): 193 -- Advances in Developing Human
Resources. Advances in Developing Human Resources. Retrieved December 2,
2009, from http://adh.sagepub.com/cgi/content/short/6/2/193
DOI: 10.1177/1523422304263429

Graham-Bertolini, A. (2004). Joe Millionaire as Fairy Tale: A feminist critique. Feminist
Media Studies, 4(3), 341-344. http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.longwood.edu

Griffin, E. (2008). A First Look at Communication Theory. New York: McGraw
Hill Higher Education.

Jennings-Walstedt, J., Geis, F., & Brown, V. (1980). Influence of television commercials
on women's self-confidence and independent judgment. Journal of Personality
and Social Psychology, 38(2), 203-210. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.38.2.203.

Morgan, C. (2007). Gender Role Identity Crisis on Wisteria Lane: Desperate Housewives


as a Metaphor for the Modern Day Woman. Florida Communication Journal,
36(2), 112-118. http://search.ebscohost.com.proxy.longwood.edu

Murray, S. (n.d.). Encyclopedia of Television. Routledge - Publisher of Academic Books,
Journals and eBooks. Retrieved December 2, 2009, from <http://www.routledge-
ny.com/ref/television/realitytv.html>.

Reep, D., & Dambrot, F. (1989). Effects of Frequent Television Viewing on Stereotypes:
'Drip, Drip' or 'Drench'?. Journalism Quarterly, 66(3), 542-556. Retrieved from
Communication & Mass Media Complete database.

Saito, S. (2007). Television and the cultivation of gender-role attitudes in Japan: Does
television contribute to the maintenance of the status quo?. Journal of
Communication, 57(3), 511-531. doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.2007.00355.x.

Shanahan, J., Signorielli, N., & Morgan, M. (2008). Television and Sex Roles 30 Years
Hence: A Retrospective and Current Look From a Cultural Indicators Perspective.
Conference Papers -- International Communication Association, 1-26. Retrieved
from Communication & Mass Media Complete database.

Slocum, C. B. (2010). The Real History of Reality. Writers Guild of America, West.
Retrieved March 1, 2010, from http://www.wga.org/organizesub.aspx?id=1099

Punyanunt-Carter, N. M. (2010). Love on television: reality perception
differences between men and women | North American Journal of Psychology |
Find Articles at BNET. Retrieved October 19, 2009, from
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_6894/is_2_8/ai_n28410574/?
tag=content;col1

West, C. M. (1995). Mammy, Sapphire, and Jezebel: Historical images of Black Women
and Their Implications for Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, 32, 458- 466.


Appendix A

Appendix includes IRB forms submitted for approval in order to distribute the survey to
students on campus. This section includes: description of research, video clip
description, action form, and consent form.

Female Archetypes in Reality Television

Recommandé

Recommandé

Contenu connexe

Similaire à Female Archetypes in Reality Television

Similaire à Female Archetypes in Reality Television (20)

Female Archetypes in Reality Television