by Esha Irfan
Influence
The power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways. (Merriam-Webster)
Influence of TV dramas
Television dramas have long been a staple of modern entertainment, captivating audiences worldwide with their engaging storylines and relatable characters. For teenagers, in particular, TV dramas can serve as a significant source of social learning, shaping their attitudes, values, and behaviors. As noted by Bandura's Social Learning Theory (1977), individuals, especially adolescents, learn and adopt new behaviors by observing and imitating others. This phenomenon raises important questions about the potential influence of TV dramas on teenagers' lives.
(Social Learning Theory)
(Prentice Hall)
Types of influence
● Cognitive influence
TV dramas can shape teenagers' perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs.
(Hinkley & Taylor, 2012)
● Emotional influence
TV dramas can evoke emotions, empathy, and emotional intelligence in teenagers. (Gentile et al., 2014)
● Social influence
TV dramas can influence teenagers' social behaviors, relationships, and identity formation.
(Bandura, 1977)
● Behavioral influence
TV dramas can inspire or discourage certain behaviors, such as substance abuse, violence, or prosocial behaviors.
(Gentile et al., 2014)
Causes of the influence
● Realistic portrayals
TV dramas often depict realistic scenarios, making them more relatable and influential. (Hinkley & Taylor, 2012)
● Repetition and frequency
Frequent exposure to TV dramas can lead to repeated reinforcement of messages, increasing their influence.
(Gentile et al., 2014)
● Lack of parental guidance
Insufficient parental supervision and guidance can leave teenagers more susceptible to TV drama influences.
(Hinkley & Taylor, 2012)
● Vulnerability during adolescence
Teenagers' ongoing cognitive, emotional, and social development makes them more vulnerable to media influences.
(Erikson, 1968)
Effects of influence
● Physical inactivity
Physical inactivity leads to obesity and heart disease and the people who spend an enormous amount of time watching television and the rates of obesity and heart disease in people of all ages are rapidly increasing.
● Sense of self efficiency
Prolonged television watching decreases viewers’ sense of self-efficacy in maintaining personal health.
● Perception
One of the most harmful effects of watching television is that TV appears to portray or report reality, when in fact it just allows us to get a small glimpse of what’s really going on.
● Ignorance to knowledge
Unfortunately, most people accept whatever television is feeding them, without ever casting a doubt on its truthfulness. Perhaps the reason why they do so is that they prefer ignorance to knowledge, because, as the saying goes, “ignorance is bliss.” ● Distorted view of reality
The harsh reality is that searching to find out the truth requires effort, and so we prefer to let the evening news do all the search for us. In this way, we don’t need to do anything:
No effort, nothing to worry about. We choose the easy way, but a serious disadvantage of doing so is that we also choose to accept a distorted view of reality.
● Manipulation
When you watch an hour of TV, you’re exposed to about 15 minutes of commercials and they usually manipulate you first by making you feel bad about yourself and the kind of life you live. They just emotionally manipulate you.
● Waste of time
Instead of living our life to the fullest, we sit in front of a dead though “entertaining” device, which we have chosen as a substitute for true living which just wastes our time. (Sofo Archon)
Prevention
● Attention
Pay attention to the programs their children are watching and watch some with them. ● Set limits
Set limits on the amount of time they spend with the television; consider removing the TV set from the child's bedroom.
● Point out the reality
Point out that although the actor has not actually been hurt or killed, such violence in real life results in pain or death.
● Avoiding violent shows
Refuse to let the children see shows known to be violent, and change the channel or turn off the TV set when offensive material comes on, with an explanation of what is wrong with the program.
● Peer pressure
Help with peer pressure among friends and classmates by contacting other parents and agreeing to enforce similar rules about the length of time and type of program the children may watch
(AACAP)
Summary
The influence of TV dramas on adolescents is complex, with both positive and negative effects. To promote healthy development, it's crucial for parents, educators, and policymakers to encourage media literacy, critical thinking, and responsible media consumption. By doing so, adolescents can navigate the media landscape effectively and harness the positive potential of TV dramas.
References
● (Merriam-Webster), influence
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.me rriam-webster.com/dictionary/influence&ved=2ahUKEwiyqqy-6tOKAxWbxQIHHZ23CUQ QFnoECDEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2uELlw-O0b-ECcKl1Tu0Hi
● Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. ● Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and crisis. Harvard University Press. ● https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.ac
ademia.edu/37327712/Erik_H_Erikson_Identity_Youth_and_Crisis_1_1968_W_W_Norto n_and_Company_1_&ved=2ahUKEwicvJ_C6eiKAxXZif0HHfRIIzAQFnoECGQQAQ&usg =AOvVaw3y-zSBrJzkEHMyvQfxlkhV
● https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.res earchgate.net/publication/267750204_Bandura%27s_Social_Learning_Theory_Social_C ognitive_Learning_Theory&ved=2ahUKEwi73dGO6eiKAxXS8bsIHcyBI9gQFnoECCQQ AQ&usg=AOvVaw2KAF36-s2LsrBcYRHBRYJf
● Effects of influence
(Sofo Archon)
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://sofoarc hon.com/the-harmful-effects-of-watching-television/%23:~:text%3DTelevision%2520mak es%2520you%2520dumb%26text%3DHaving%2520talking%2520heads%2520continuo usly%2520giving,be%2520easily%2520misinformed%2520and%2520manipulated.&ved =2ahUKEwih1ovX7dOKAxVv-QIHHaAwLZMQFnoECBUQBQ&usg=AOvVaw2KDrUscd2 Ox6zME7L1g4Mh
● Prevention
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.aa cap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-TV-Vi olence-013.aspx&ved=2ahUKEwij4eaB7tOKAxXdxQIHHWq7JB4QFnoECBYQBQ&usg= AOvVaw1PjT5HdTTc45lKbIQSknOh
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