With the subtle manipulation of cameras and editing, reality television can often manipulate the audience into either buying into toxic relationships or hating participants, while setting exaggerated expectations of relationships.
In reality TV, there is often heavy editing, involving cuts in footage, dramatic music and camera focusing.
According to C&I Studios, all of these tricks are meant to manipulate the viewing audience to the showrunners’ wishes.
“This art of manipulation involves carefully selecting and editing reaction shots and cutaways to intensify the drama unfolding on screen,” C&I Studios said.
Furthermore, editing within reality TV focuses on pushing a greater narrative, and oftentimes, the most engaging narrative is one with a villain the audience can hate.
However, audiences who engage with reality TV often forget that these are real people whose actions are often manipulated by said editing to appear better or worse.
“The art of editing is much more than just cutting and assembling footage,” C&I Studios said. “It’s about telling a story that captivates and resonates with the audience, maintaining a delicate balance between authenticity and drama.”
It doesn’t just stop at editing; the manipulation and mistreatment of reality TV extends into the poor treatment of participants, both on set and after the show ends.
Psychology Today author Isabelle Morley interviewed multiple contestants from Netflix’s “Love is Blind” and discovered the manipulation and isolation from family by organizers.
“Since there were no on-set counselors, and contestants did not have their phones with them, and so were unable to speak with their friends or family during filming, they could only turn to their producers, or each other, for support,” Morley said.
In addition to having mental breakdowns, she found that contestants on shows had little support offered to them after Netflix was done filming.
“As the contestant said, ‘You literally get dropped the day after you’re done filming your wedding…We had no idea how to assimilate our lives…And there’s no guidebook, there’s no anything. There’s no support,” Morley said.
Oftentimes, reality television pulls its participants aside and has them housed on set, furthering the disconnect from friends and family at home.
If reality television wanted to be more ethical and less harmful, it should provide either therapists or basic communication with family members.
While harming their own contestants, oftentimes, reality television can harm those who enjoy these shows by showing idealized relationships and lowering self-esteem.
According to Self-Cared 4 Owner and Therapist Chenelle Ellie, reality TV creates exaggerated expectations through the drama of the show.
“Dating reality shows often portray idealized and dramatized versions of relationships. This can lead to viewers having unrealistic expectations about romance, conflict resolution, and partner behavior,” Ellie said.
In addition to exaggerated expectations shows like “Love Island,” The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) says that by showing these relationships with an all attractive cast, it can lower self-esteem.
“As a case in point, the contestants are all incredibly fit, tan and beautiful socialites in their twenties,” UT Austin said. “Contestants are chosen and rejected by other islanders based almost entirely on appearance.”