Why are television serials popular? How did they become so famous? Are we attracted to them or addicted to them? There are different ways one can observe how television serials and programs became popular in the twentieth century. Television serials have suddenly changed “all the factors – both psychological and sociological – that distinguish people from one another” (Defluer and Ball-Rockeach 1988, p. 195). Television has affected people in many different aspects making people attracted or even addicted to television programs, thus increasing the time they spend in front of a television. Consequently, the reasons behind television popularity are manifested in the psychological and sociological effects television have on people, the identification of how television programs are made, and several of the pros and cons of watching television serials.
Television serials mean a great deal to a lot of television viewers, because of their variety, subjects, and common interests. Furthermore, television directors and producers try to identify the viewer's main interests and seek to satisfy those interests. In other words, the viewer is the customer and the television director produces a service hoping to serve and please the customer. Did you know that “the average American watches more than 4 hours of TV each day” (Norman Herr). In addition, the average elementary school student watches about eight thousand murders before he finishes elementary school.
[...] Therefore, television serials constitute a great deal to human beings and no one in the twentieth century can imagine living without them. Similarly, Johnny Carson asserts that it weren't for Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of television, we'd still be eating frozen radio dinners”. It is thus evident that the psychological, sociological, and scientific facts are reasons for the addiction and the popularity of television serials around the world. The ingredients that make up the script, to which most people are addicted, are the key to the success of television serials. [...]
[...] This is due to the fact that people feel they enter a fantasy world; for instance, if a person is not comfortable in his family he usually watch a drama comedian serial that consists of a family, and this makes him feel as part of this fantasy family. Therefore, it is without doubt that television serials have a sociological effect on human beings and people should be aware of that. In spite of all the disadvantages television has on human psychology and sociology, television producers are able to create scripts to influence the human mind. [...]
[...] Yet, people should be wise, and should think of their social health and future, because going out and doing different activities energizes one's self-esteem, social contacts, and unique experiences. Works Cited Bogart, Leo. The Age of Television; a Study of Viewing Habits and the Impact of Television on American Life. New York: F. Ungar Pub Print. Comstock, George A. Television and Human Behavior. New York: Columbia UP Print. Cumberbatch, Guy, and Dennis Howitt. A Measure of Uncertainty: the Effects of the Mass Media. London: J. Libbey Print. Derrick, Jaye L. [...]
[...] Shira Gabriel and Kurt Hugenberg. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Feb Web May 2010. < http: rt="d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_user" id="10&md5=7797bc404e45e0a80e9bb84374599eae">. Elliott, Philip Ross Courtney. The Making of a Television Series; a Case Study in the Sociology of Culture. London: Constable Print. Fowles, Jib, and Jib Fowles. Why Viewers Watch: a Reappraisal of Television's Effects. Newbury Park, Calif.: Sage Print. Kubey, Robert, and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. "Television Addiction Is No Mere Metaphor." Scientific American. Scientific American Magazine, Feb Web May 2010. < http: is-n-2002-02>. [...]
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