English 102 Proposal Due Wednesday, May 9

English 102 Proposal Due Wednesday, May 9th Sections of the Proposal Part I

Develop a proposal for an essay by creating a topic overview, a working thesis, and identifying major support ideas. Additionally, prepare an annotated bibliography with at least five credible sources, including citation, a brief summary, and an assessment of each source's usefulness. The proposal should be around 2-3 pages, single-spaced, and detail your research plan and initial sources to support your argument.

Paper For Above instruction

In this proposal, I will explore the influence of reality television on young women’s perceptions of material wealth and happiness. The topic is particularly relevant given the pervasive presence of reality TV in media and its potential to shape societal values, especially among impressionable audiences like teenagers. I chose this subject because of personal observations and experiences, noting how shows such as "The Kardashians" and "Gossip Girl" often depict wealth as central to status and happiness. These portrayals may contribute to materialistic attitudes and self-esteem issues among young viewers. Historically, media has long been a powerful agent of socialization, but the rise of reality TV has intensified its impact by offering seemingly authentic glimpses into affluent lifestyles, often with little critical perspective. Today, this issue remains pertinent as consumer culture continues to promote material possessions as symbols of success and happiness, influencing youth attitudes and behaviors.

The central claim of my essay will be that reality television encourages young women to idolize and normalize material excess, leading to overspending and dissatisfaction when they cannot replicate the lifestyles they see on screen. I argue that these shows distort perceptions of normalcy and success, fostering unrealistic expectations and a skewed value system. My support will focus on how wealth is portrayed as a primary measure of status, how young women are motivated to acquire material goods to emulate or attain similar recognition, and the subsequent emotional toll of unattainable standards.

My major support points include: (1) the depiction of wealth as a key indicator of popularity and success in reality TV shows; (2) the societal obsession with material items, reinforced by these shows; (3) the influence of celebrity culture and advertising in promoting materialism; (4) the psychological implications of materialism, such as lowered self-esteem and increased dissatisfaction; and (5) potential strategies for media literacy and promoting healthier perceptions of achievement and self-worth among youth.

Annotated Bibliography

1. Green, Thomas, et al. "Materialism And The Tendency To Worship Celebrities." North American Journal Of Psychology 16, (2014): 33-42.

Summary: This article examines the relationship between materialism and celebrity worship, finding that individuals who idolize celebrities tend to place higher value on material possessions and envy others’ wealth. It discusses how advertisements featuring celebrities influence consumer behavior, linking celebrity admiration directly to material consumption.

Usefulness: This source is valuable because it provides empirical evidence connecting celebrity culture to materialism. It supports my argument that reality TV, with its celebrity-focused content, promotes materialistic values. I can use this to illustrate how celebrity admiration on TV influences young women’s desire for material possessions, reinforcing societal messages that equate happiness with wealth.

2. Baker, Andrew M., et al. "Materialism And Life Satisfaction: The Role Of Stress And Religiosity." Journal Of Consumer Affairs 47 (2013): 123-139.

Summary: The research investigates how materialism correlates with life satisfaction and how factors like stress and religiosity mediate this relationship. Results suggest that individuals under stress or with less religious influence tend to be more materialistic and less satisfied, with cultural differences affecting these dynamics.

Usefulness: This article offers a nuanced view, suggesting that materialism does not universally lead to dissatisfaction. It can be used to argue that the influence of reality TV on materialism depends on individual and cultural factors, providing a balanced perspective for my paper.

3. Gregory, Susan. Buy, Buy Baby: How Consumer Culture Manipulates Parents and Harms Young Minds. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2007.

Summary: Gregory explores how media and advertising manipulate parents and children to promote consumerism, often using psychological techniques that can negatively impact children's cognitive development and self-esteem.

Usefulness: This book supports my thesis by demonstrating how media targeted at children and families fosters materialism and influences values from an early age. It offers insight into the psychological mechanisms at play, which I can reference to explain how reality TV influences young women’s perceptions of happiness and success.

4. Myers, David G. The American Paradox: Spiritual Hunger in an Age of Plenty. Yale University Press, 2000.

Summary: Myers discusses America's abundance of material resources alongside a decline in spiritual well-being, arguing that excess goods have led to lowered happiness levels. The book advocates for a spiritual reconnection as a pathway to genuine fulfillment.

Usefulness: The book will bolster my argument about the societal impacts of materialism, emphasizing how excess consumption can lead to emotional and spiritual dissatisfaction. It provides empirical backing and a philosophical perspective on the costs of material excess promoted by media.

5. Shrum, L. J., et al. "An Online Process Model Of Second-Order Cultivation Effects." Human Communication Research 37 (2011): 34-57.

Summary: This research examines how television viewing influences levels of materialism and life satisfaction, finding that greater exposure to TV correlates with higher materialism and reduced life satisfaction. The effects are mediated by the content’s message, especially regarding material wealth.

Usefulness: This article directly supports my core argument by empirically linking media consumption with increased materialism and decreased happiness. It underscores the importance of critically analyzing the content young women are exposed to via reality TV platforms.

References

• Green, Thomas, et al. "Materialism And The Tendency To Worship Celebrities." North American Journal Of Psychology, 2014.
• Baker, Andrew M., et al. "Materialism And Life Satisfaction: The Role Of Stress And Religiosity." Journal Of Consumer Affairs, 2013.
• Gregory, Susan. Buy, Buy Baby: How Consumer Culture Manipulates Parents and Harms Young Minds. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2007.
• Myers, David G. The American Paradox: Spiritual Hunger in an Age of Plenty. Yale University Press, 2000.
• Shrum, L. J., et al. "An Online Process Model Of Second-Order Cultivation Effects." Human Communication Research, 2011.