Department - Author 1
Communication Studies Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BA in Communication Studies
Date
12-2013
Primary Advisor
Julia Woolley
Abstract/Summary
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ABC’s The Bachelor on viewers’ ideology of dating and relationships. Ninety-eight participants voluntarily took part in a survey, posted to Facebook. The survey measured whether increased exposure to The Bachelor affects viewers’ perceived realism of television, relationship satisfaction, or expectations of sexual timing. The role of viewing habits on each of these factors was also examined. The effects of exposure to The Bachelor on the dependent variables, perceived realism and relationship satisfaction, were measured using an analysis of variance (ANOVA). Effects of exposure on expectations of sexual timing were analyzed using Chi Square testing. Ultimately, the results support an association between increased exposure to The Bachelor and viewer’s perceptions of television realism. There were no associations, however, between increased exposure to The Bachelor and relationship satisfaction, or with expectations of sexual timing. Viewing habits were significantly associated with perceived realism and relationship satisfaction.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/comssp/144