Research Notes, Essay Example

Christenson, P, and M Ivancin. The “Reality”of Health: Reality Television and the Public Health. Menlo Park, CA: The Kaiser Family Foundation, 2006. 5-8. Web. 7 July 2011. <http://www.kff.org/entmedia/upload/7567.pdf>.

With the increased success and further developments of new reality shows, researchers are spending increased hours studying the impact of behaviors, characters and decisions that these types of shows have on its viewers; especially younger viewers. Research and statistics presented in the document indicate that health-related behaviors on reality shows are in fact impacting Public Health (i.e. drug and alcohol abuse). (6)

Some of the examples used in the article including shows such as The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Survivor and MTV’s Real World. In times past, television shows were representative of depictions and characterizations. With the new form of entertainment called reality shows, the audience perceives these cases to serve as some form of norm and expectations. Christenson and Ivancin analyzed how although these shows are labeled “reality shows,” they still represent certain areas fictionalization of only a segment of the population.

InPress Pediatrics. Sexy Media Matter: Exposure to Sexual Content in Music, Movies, Television and Magazines Predicts Black and White Adolescents’ Sexual Behavior. N.p.: n.p., 2008. N. pag. Office Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Web. 6 July 2011. <http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/122/5/1047.full?submit.y=1>.

A study was conducted on the correlation between sex in the media and sexual behaviors of teens who are exposed to it. The study provides significant facts and statistics, substantiating that teens who are exposed to sex in the media are prone to mirror similar behaviors versus those who are not exposed to it. Although the research is a race-based study, the fundamental message supports the negative link between sexual behavior in the media and teen sexuality.

The article conducted a study group of two sets of teens (1) those who were exposed to limited sexuality in the media and (2) those who were exposed to increased media outlets which presented a substantial amount of sexual activity. After returning to interview each study group, the research found that the individuals with the higher rate of exposure were 2.2 times more likely to have had sexual intercourse than the lesser exposed group.

Teen Health and the Media. Media’s Effect on Body Image. N.p.: n.p., 2009. N. pag. Web. 6 July 2011.http://depts.washington.edu/thmedia/view.cgi?section=bodyimage&page=fastfacts>.

Teens assess their own beauty and acceptance against teens in advertising, televisions shows and movies. The result of this comparison often leads to eating disorders, negative perceptions of oneself and high-risk behavior choices (i.e. sexual experiences).

The Kaiser Foundation study found that in when women are presented in a media outlet such as television shows and commercials, some form of reference is made to her image. As a result, this creates an increase awareness and often dissatisfaction within teens regarding their image.