Reality television and the promotion of problematic behavior among cast members
A Case Study Content Analysis Through the Lens of Feminist and Media Framing Theories
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 7154388 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Karla R Hamlen (0000-0003-3946-3240, Cleveland State University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 464-480 |
| Publication date | 2025-02-17 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Feminist Media Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1468-0777 • E-ISSN: 1471-5902 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/14680777.2024.2320682 |
| OpenAlex | W4392121788 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 29 |
A combination of feminist and media framing theories allows for a perspective of the world in which power structures play a role in the construction of identities. In mass media spaces, those who hold power can shape the reality for viewers. This longitudinal case study content analysis of one reality television show, MTV’s The Challenge, reveals an ongoing scenario where producers encourage and devote airtime to sexism, racism, and violence, possibly with the intent to increase viewership, resulting in mixed messages for cast members regarding problematic behaviors. Over time, instances of these problematic behaviors increased, and cast members who engaged in these behaviors were more likely to be re-cast than those who did not. Negative behaviors are sometimes met with consequences, but these are inconsistent. As a result, cast members may be misled about acceptable behaviors and may suffer social, professional, and mental health consequences. Further, the content leaves viewers vulnerable to mixed messages on important issues such as sexism, racism, and violence
Advertising · Business · Content analysis · Media content · Media studies · Multimedia · Optics · Reality television · Reality tv · Social science · Sociology · Through-the-lens metering · Asian Culture and Media Studies · Computer Science · Gender, Feminism, and Media · Media, Gender, and Advertising · Psychology · Social Psychology
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The Uncomfortable Encounter Between an Urban Black and a Rural White
Racist call-outs and cancel culture on Twitter
Drag Them
Answering the Call for a Standard Reliability Measure for Coding Data
Toward a Sociology of Reality Television
Situating Representation As a Form of Erasure
Depictions of Gender on Primetime Television
The kinder, gentler gaze of Big Brother
Show Your Real Face
Television Situation Comedies
Content Analysis of Gender Roles in Media
An Introduction to the Social Psychology of Insults in Organizations
Lessons in Colour-Blind Racism from The Bachelorette
Feminism and Constructivism
The Media as a System of Racialization
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |