Todays Talk Shows - Essay Example

In psychology, most people have well-developed defense mechanisms (such as denial or projection) in order to protect themselves from difficult social situations. The host and audience continue to try to break down these defenses with commentaries and verbal assaults against the guest, leading to erratic or violent explosions of anger.

            Provoking hostility is not an ethical business behavior solely in the pursuit of gaining better ratings. Talk show hosts that engage in approval of psychological warfare have serious moral implications for society. When these hostile situations occur, it shows a breakdown of honorable and principled social behavior in contemporary society, illustrated by applauding audience members clearly entertained by guest aggression. Guests of talk shows should be treated with more sensitivity in order to avoid hostile outbursts and recognize their complex psychological needs in order to avoid future incidents of this type of behavior.