Glorifying the Simple Life

Download or read book Glorifying the Simple Life written by Eva Katharina Hammes and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-05-31 with total page 249 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The analysis identifies the four socio-psychological constructs identification with a media character, schadenfreude, social comparison, and vicarious embarrassment, as important responses in the context of reality TV. Besides numerous determinants, these constructs are also linked to consequences. In particular, Eva Katharina Hammes identifies schadenfreude and identification as positive responses for the viewer. Vicarious embarrassment is found to be a rather complex response that elicits diverse consequences. Social comparison with its upward and downward forms was found to be very important during the consumption of reality TV programs and also serves as a moderator for the relationship between the identified determinants and associated socio-psychological constructs.