Editing Reality television (section)

=== Appeal ===
A number of studies have tried to pinpoint the appeal of reality television.<ref>Lundy, L. Ruth, A. & Park, T.(2008). Simply Irresistible: Reality TV Consumption Patterns, Communication Quarterly, 56(2), p.208-225.</ref> Factors that have been cited in its appeal include personal identification with the onscreen participants; pure entertainment; diversion from scripted TV; vicarious participation;<ref>Ebersole, S. & Woods, R.(2007). Motivations for Viewing Reality Television: A Uses and Gratifications Analysis. Southwestern Mass Communication Journal, 23(1, 23-42)</ref> a feeling of self-importance compared to onscreen participants;<ref name="Reiss, S. 2004">Reiss, S. & Wiltz, J. (2004). Why People Watch Reality TV, Media Psychology 6(4).</ref> enjoyment of competition;<ref name="Reiss, S. 2004"/> and an appeal to [[voyeurism]], especially given "scenes which take place in private settings, contain [[nudity]], or include gossip".<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Papacharissi | first1 = Z. | last2 = Mendelson | first2 = A. | year = 2007 | title = An exploratory study of reality appeal: Uses and Gratifications of reality TV shows | journal = Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media | volume = 51 | issue = 2| pages = 355–370 | doi=10.1080/08838150701307152| s2cid = 145099520 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Baruh | first1 = L | year = 2009 | title = Publicized intimacies on reality television: An analysis of voyeuristic content and its contribution to the appeal of reality programming | journal = Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media | volume = 53 | issue = 2 | page = 207 | doi = 10.1080/08838150902907678 | s2cid = 143928405 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Baruh | first1 = L | year = 2009 | title = Publicized intimacies on reality television: An analysis of voyeuristic content and its contribution to the appeal of reality programming | journal = Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media | volume = 53 | issue = 2 | page = 190 | doi = 10.1080/08838150902907678 | s2cid = 143928405 }}</ref>

A 2012 survey by [[Today (American TV program)|Today.com]] found that Americans who watch reality television regularly are more extroverted, more neurotic, and have lower self-esteem than those who do not.<ref>{{cite web |title=Reality Check for reality TV fans: You're more neurotic |url=https://www.today.com/news/reality-check-reality-tv-fans-youre-more-neurotic-1C7320186 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150807154401/http://www.today.com/news/reality-check-reality-tv-fans-youre-more-neurotic-1C7320186 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 7, 2015 |first=Courtney |last=Hazlett |publisher=Today.com |date=November 9, 2012 }}</ref>