Reality TV: the Bachelor - Essay Example

Introduction The hit TV series, “The Bachelor” is one that has continued to charm American audiences and has created a different understanding to marriage and those that are couples in society. However, there are also different perspectives that questions whether this TV program is one that is based only on reality TV, as portrayed by the station, or which is defined by different perspectives that are set to create different scenarios and results. When looking at different theories, it can be seen that the appeal to this particular TV program is one that is based on other concepts that are redefining the concept of reality and how it works with those that are looking at TV. Specifically, there is a difference between the psychoanalytic and sociocultural theories that are defined by the TV program. Speaker 1 (psychoanalytic): When many look at reality TV, specifically with a Bachelor, there is a belief that this is specifically linked to reality as it is portrayed in society. The definition of reality; however, is further defined by what the characters decide to do in the TV program as well as how they percieve different situations. Even though this is based on reality, there is still a question of how this is associated with the actions of the characters, the expectations they have for the program and what they do as a result of this. More than reality TV, the Bachelor is a reflection of the conscious and subconscious mind and what individuals decide to do in association with the understanding that they are on TV. The behaviors that are on the Bachelor as well as the reactions that the girls create are specifically related to the subconscious. Character development of the individuals is one that is based on these ideas, as opposed to living a realistic part that is from the program. To understand this concept, one also has to understand the basis of psychoanalytic theories. The particular theory was first defined by Freud when defining the concept of the conscious and the subconscious of the mind. In this instance, the concept of behavior is further defined by personalities that come from the subconscious. The determinants of the behavior don’t come from the concept of reality and how individuals live. More importantly, they come from the learned behaviors, perspectives and the subconscious experiences that individuals have. This creates the structural, social and reality determinants that result with the different characters on the program1. For instance, when a woman decides to go after the bachelor in the program through specific actions, such as answering questions in a particular way, it can be related to several layers of the subconscious. The thought processes of being on TV, being looked at by public viewers and of winning over the bachelor from learned experiences all become central to the way that many respond to the situation they are in. Speaker 2 (sociocultural): While many of the concepts of reality TV in The Bachelor may come from the subconscious, it is also important to recognize that the surrounding environment affects the responses that the women and men have on the show. The subconscious can’t be associated with all the actions that are taken by the individuals. Other influences will make a difference in how individuals respond and how the groups respond as a whole. To understand a more well – rounded approach to the responses from this reality TV program is also the need to evaluate the social and cultural theories that are responsible for the actions that are considered as a part of reality TV. The evaluation of The Bachelor can come from a basic definition of sociocultural theories. The main concept of sociocultural theories is that the behaviors and actions that one takes are not necessarily from the individual alone. More importantly, there is an assoication with the social and cultural responses from the surrounding environment and factors. Economy, psychology, social status, classification of cultural concepts and other theories create a bias toward information and will result in alternative actions2. Even though one may state that the experiences that are presented on the show can be considered as realistic or as individual behaviors, it can also be stated that there are general responses that occur because of the sociocultural environment. For instance, placing all the women in the same home, creating certain events within the environment and having a focus on different cultural areas all make a difference in how the individuals will respond throughout the show. The question is whether this is a component of reality or whether the surrounding environment automatically creates different responses. Speaker 1 (psychoanalytic): The assumption that the characters respond from the environment is also one that can not be looked into without an understanding of the subconscious. Many have associated reality TV with documentary theories, which shows that the way that individuals respond is directly associated with the thoughts that they have in a given environment. Take for instance the melodrama that occurs on the program through the women. The Bachelor is known for the fights from the women as well as the mis – behaviors that are a part of the program. This is seen from the first episode, which shows that it is not manipulated by the environment. Instead, it is coming from the beliefs that the women hold about the bachelor and their chances of winning over the perfect man. Psychoanalytics plays a role in this by defining behaviors through the subconscious thought processes that create the specific reactions from the different women3. Speaker 2 (sociocultural): The reactions are not only from the subconscious in the Bachelor. This perspective limits the way that reality TV is built as well as the way that it is manipulated through a given environment. Even though there is a sense of melodrama that may come from the subconsicous, it can also be stated that this same melodrama comes from the environment that is a part of the TV programs. Many have found that the TV producers will directly associate reality TV with a political viewpoint that is accepted by society at the time. Social differences, for instance, easily become apparent in the show, specifically because this will draw on the audience and will create more interest among those that are watching the program. This was associated from the first season as the man was a construction worker that was iven the identity of a millionaire. This ultimately affected the way that the girls reacted to the Bachelor through social differences. The question is how much of this is reality as well as how much is associated specifically with the social identity and political manipulations of the program.4 There are several instances that depict the reactions of characters specifically because of this. One can’t say that the first episode as a party in the mansion with free wine, a hot tub and different party materials won’t create specific reactions and characteristics that the women create by the end of the episode. Speaker 1 (psychoanalytic): If it is completely true that reality TV is influenced by the environment, then there is a question of how the subconscious relates to the environment as well as individual experiences and behaviors that are a part of the environment. Even though this may have some affect, one can’t overlook the behaviors of the women as well as the character development that they create as individuals. The women don’t work as a group in response to the environment. By the 3rd show of each season, there is a complete set of characters that have been developed, each which have attributes that are a part of the bachelor. The individual characteristics shows that there is a specific classification of character pathology and how the women identify themselves. The environment is a secondary affect compared to the subconscious that builds character development and individual responses, which specifically relates to the ideas of the subconscious5. Even though there is a set environment, the women are walking into the environment. They don’t go into the environment and respond directly based only on that situation. Instead, it is a build up of different experiences, behaviors and subconscious affiliations with what is in the environment. This makes the subconscious the main action while the environment is only something that triggers the reactions and behaviors of individual women. Speaker 2 (sociocultural): If it is true that the character development of the women is based on the subconscious and individual relations to the environment, then it should be questioned about how this relates to culture. The Bachelor is now in it’s 8th season and most of the women that are on the show understand the way that the program works because of watching past seasons. When looking at the different characters that are developed, it can be seen that they have also been developed in past seasons. The culture that has been created and the environment that has been set up is one that has already been seen. The subconscious is not as important as the way that the environment is set up. The environment includes one that is based on the understanding of the past shows as well as the cultural conventions that are within the environment. More importantly, there are several that self – consciously manipulate the idea of reality TV, the environment that they are in and the culture that is presented to the audience. Reality TV is one that is not necessarily related to the realities and behaviors, but is instead an expected cultural form that the women are responding to by determining how they will respond to the environment from a social perspective6. Speaker 1: (Psychoanalytic): Limiting the women’s behaviors to social and cultural affiliations does not provide a strong enough basis toward the reactions of the show and what is occurring. To understand the subconscious affiliations, one also has to look at the responses that occur through each episode. The directors purposely change the environment, challenges and the way that the women are able to respond in a given situation. Ultimately, this relies on the subconscious to create the right characteristics and to change the way that women respond. The responses that are a part of this are dependent on personal affiliations. The idea of reality, when looking at this perspective, is one that can’t be predetermined by environment. Instead, it is from the way that the women analyze the environment and circumstances and respond with their own personality, subconscious and reactions. Doing this is able to provide a different understanding toward what is occurring within the environment7. Speaker 2: (sociocultural): The different environments and change of pace still don’t account for the way that the women respond in an environment. The Bachelor can be considered as a tabloid program which has specific expectations. More than this, older programs and romantic stories that are in movies and in TV can be said to directly affect the responses that women have. The signals that are created from the idea of the bachelor, as well as the environment that is created is directly associated with the social and cultural expectations that not only from The Bachelor, but also which are associated with romantic stories and the expectations that are given to the women. Take for instance, the times which the women have gone outside of the expectations. In season 4, one of the women decided that she wanted to only be friends with the bachelor and didn’t fall into the dating scene and environment. Ultimately, this set her outside of the group of women and the show and led to complications within the show. In season 6, this same problem occurred when the bachelor didn’t choose any of the women from the show. These different instances show that there are tabloid expectations that are directly influenced by social perspectives, cultural values and expectations that come from a tabloid show8. Speaker 1 (psychoanalytic): The perspectives and values that are being referred to from a cultural and social aspect and influence can also be said to be linked to the subconscious with the repsonses in The Bachelor. Even though psychoanalytic theory states that there are expected behaviors and responses from the subconscious, it can also be said that these are developed in association with the environment. For instance, when looking at feminist theory, it can be stated that there is a direct association with the learned identity of women and how they associate with the program because of feminist ideals that they grow up with. As one is raised in a specific society, they also develop different concepts of what it means to belong to an identity and to a gender. This eventually moves into the subconscious and creates specific reactions that are a part of society. When living in a gender – schematic society, it can be seen that there are different implications that play a role in child development and which create a different influence in society9. Speaker 2 (sociocultural): The concept of identity within the psychoanalytic theory is the one agreement between both theories. From a social and cultural perspective, it can be assumed that there is a change in identity, specifically because of the surrounding pressures and what is implied within a given environment. This creates the identity of an individual and leads them into a different understanding of what is occurring within the environment. According to feminist theory, the idea of gender relation is one that is created by the social values as well as the cultural perspective that is associated with this. Sexual differences are created by the pressures and the surrounding environment as well as how the individual responds to this. When looking at The Bachelor it can be seen that there is gender identity immediately created through the women and how they interact within specific situations. For instance, in other situationsin film, women were expected to have a specific role in relation to cinema. This created a context of identity dependent on the way that women were perceieved within society. The women in the bachelor have this same association. Looking at differences, such as the dresses that are worn, the way they interact initially with the bachelor and the approaches to the environment is also linked directly to the expectations that women have within society10. Speaker 1 (psychoanalytic): The perspective of how different individuals are influenced is a question of what forms reality TV shows such as The Bachelor. The psychoanalytic perspective is one that shows the concept of how women form their identity on this show through subconscious reactions from behaviors, experiences and personal beliefs. However, it can also be said that this perspective is associated with past environments and influences that form concepts such as gender identity. Speaker 2 (sociocultural): The perspective of The Bachelor with the perspective of the subconscious is limiting in viewpoint. The surrounding environment, setup from the producers and the concept of identity as it relates to social and cultural pressures ultimately form a different approach to identity and how individuals create an understanding of their role on this program. References Bem, Sandra. (1983). Gender Schema Theory and Its Implications for Child Development: Raising Gender Aschematic Children in a Gender – Schematic Society. Signs (8), (4). Biressi, Anita, Heather Nunn. (2005). Reality TV: Realism and Revelation. London: Wallflower Press. Ferro, Antonio. (2005). Which Reality in the Psychoanalytic Season? Psychoanalytic Quarterly (74). Forrester, J. (1999). Dispatches from the Freud Wars: Psychoanalysis and Its Passions. 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