The Sensitivity theory suggests that, “people pay attention to stimuli that are relevant to the satisfaction of their most basic motives, and they tend to ignore stimuli that are irrelevant to their basic motives” (Reiss et al., 2001). A study done by Reiss et al., identified the 16 basic desires of all humans, some of which include power, status, and vengeance. This theory suggests that consumers watch television to fulfill their desires. However, another concept suggests a different explanation of the interest in reality television, symbolic interactionism. This concept allows viewers of reality television to compare their own life to that of the reality show cast. It can assure viewers that their life is normal because they often see others doing the same exact things on
The Sensitivity theory suggests that, “people pay attention to stimuli that are relevant to the satisfaction of their most basic motives, and they tend to ignore stimuli that are irrelevant to their basic motives” (Reiss et al., 2001). A study done by Reiss et al., identified the 16 basic desires of all humans, some of which include power, status, and vengeance. This theory suggests that consumers watch television to fulfill their desires. However, another concept suggests a different explanation of the interest in reality television, symbolic interactionism. This concept allows viewers of reality television to compare their own life to that of the reality show cast. It can assure viewers that their life is normal because they often see others doing the same exact things on