A new study claims people who watch a lot of reality TV are more likely to be Narcissistic.
A new study published in the Psychology of Popular Media Culture has made a landmark breakthrough in science: People who watch a lot of reality shows are more likely to be narcissistic people who no one gets along with.
Related: STUDY: Hollywood Lost Billions By Not Casting Non-White Actors
A team of Ohio State University researchers, led by Ted Dickinson, asked 565 college students to keep track of which TV genres they were watching, from dramas to sports. The college students were also, according to reports, “asked questions about the amount of time they spent watching television overall, before completing the standard Narcissistic Personality Inventory – a 40-item questionnaire used by psychologists to measure subclinical narcissism.”
Related: This New Study Proves Hollywood Has a Major Diversity Problem
The results are pretty surprising.
“Those who reported higher levels of daily TV exposure scored higher on the [Narcissistic Personality Inventory].”
“Those who reported higher levels of daily TV exposure scored higher on the [Narcissistic Personality Inventory],” the study found, “as did those who watched more reality shows.”
But, Dickinson points out that “some people with narcissistic tendencies are seeking out media characters similar to themselves, whereas others who watch reality TV see narcissism as normalized behavior and begin acting more narcissistic.”
Related: STUDY: ‘Walking Dead’ Major Character Deaths Increase Ratings
But, what is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?
“Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance.”
Well, according to the Mayo Clinic here’s how they define Narcissistic personality disorder. “Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of ultraconfidence lies a fragile self-esteem that’s vulnerable to the slightest criticism.”
Apparently, Narcissistic Personality Disorder can be pretty debilitating: “A narcissistic personality disorder causes problems in many areas of life, such as relationships, work, school or financial affairs. You may be generally unhappy and disappointed when you’re not given the special favors or admiration you believe you deserve. Others may not enjoy being around you, and you may find your relationships unfulfilling.”
Related: New Study Proves Acting Talent Doesn’t Matter
You may be generally unhappy and disappointed when you’re not given the special favors or admiration you believe you deserve.
DSM-5 criteria for narcissistic personality disorder include these features:
- Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
- Expecting to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it
- Exaggerating your achievements and talents
- Being preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate
- Believing that you are superior and can only be understood by or associate with equally special people
- Requiring constant admiration
- Having a sense of entitlement
- Expecting special favors and unquestioning compliance with your expectations
- Taking advantage of others to get what you want
- Having an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others
- Being envious of others and believing others envy you
- Behaving in an arrogant or haughty manner
Either way, reality television keeps millions of people entertained every week.
Related: Study: Men Spend More Money on Clothes Than Women
