Some of the early psychology experiments could probably lay claim as the pioneers of Reality TV. When one thinks of Zimbardo's prison and Jane Eliot's (the chick who divided her third grade class into blue eyes and brown eyes),and others, similarities exist between those and current reality television episodes.But there are differences: when the going got tough Zimbardo stopped the experiment; but in modern day reality TV,when the going gets tough,the tough gets going.Whereas there is debriefing i after psychology experiments,in reality TV one gets kicked off the island and suffers from PRTVS(Post reality TV Syndrome). Ironically one would think that psychologists and sociologists should be on the forefront of designing and carryng out those reality TV shows,but I doubt they would get permission for the current enterprises. Just imagine some of us wpuld all be millionaires overnight and would not have to write textbooks anymore.But I do not think we could handle being blamed for that Canadian wacko who killed his wife and then himself.Btw,the issue of whether black parents spank more than white parents could probably be captured live by Tipsters in developmental. Maybe I can suggest to Mike Palij that he has a TV show entitled "In the Hood,after midnite". So here is a question: compare and contrast selected psychology experiments with modern day reality television? Does Bob Newhart (not Bob Wildblood) come to mind? Maybe the baby doc(Dr.Spock) could have served as a major consultant to the Octomom.
Send me and Stephen Black something. Michael Sylvester,PhD Daytona Beach,Florida --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
