Watching Television Has More Negative Effects When Compared

Watching Television Has More Negative Effects When Compared To Positi

Watching television has more negative effects when compared to positive effects when it comes to the time we invest in watching various television shows. This paper explores the impact of television viewing on individuals and families by analyzing personal data collected over a week and relating it to scholarly perspectives from Robert Kubey and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s “Television Addiction Is No Mere Metaphor” and Marie Winn’s “Television: The Plug-in Drug.” The observational data includes detailed accounts of TV watching hours, shows viewed, and contextual behavior, complemented by follow-up questions regarding emotional responses and social interactions during viewing. The objective is to synthesize empirical data with theoretical frameworks to evaluate the overall influence of television consumption on well-being and social cohesion.

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To begin with, the primary hypothesis guiding this exploration posits that television watching exerts predominantly negative effects on viewers' mental, social, and physical well-being, aligning with the arguments presented by Kubey and Csikszentmihalyi, and Winn. These scholars contend that prolonged and unmoderated TV consumption can lead to relaxation at the cost of decreased social interaction, reduced physical activity, and diminished quality of life. This paper investigates whether personal data supports these assertions, particularly focusing on the quantity of screen time, the social context of viewing, and emotional responses associated with television consumption.

The data collection process involved tracking the television viewing habits of myself and my brother, Abdulrahman, who resides in Kuwait. Over a week, I recorded the number of hours spent watching television daily, the shows watched, and the social context of viewing—whether alone or with family. My brother’s watching patterns varied across days, with an average of approximately 15-18 hours per week spent on television and YouTube, primarily in the evenings after work. His viewing included popular shows such as “The Blacklist,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “American Idol,” and “The Voice,” which he consumed in relaxed comfort—leaning back on the sofa, at an arm’s length from the TV set. When asked about his feelings during viewing, he expressed that watching TV helped him relax after a long day, often occupying him for more hours than initially intended, sometimes leading to feelings of frustration when he felt compelled to watch more despite knowing it was excessive.

Similarly, the family member I interviewed spends around 4-5 hours with the television daily, including dinners, leisure hours, and weekend social activities. He reported regularly watching television with family members during dinners and leisure times, often discussing programs, and engaging in shared viewing experiences. Despite these social interactions, his data indicated that television viewing also replaced outdoor activities and social outings, as he preferred watching shows or YouTube videos over going to the gym or participating in community events. This aligns with Winn’s observation that television becomes a substitute for more active or social pursuits, leading to reduced physical and social engagement.

Quantitatively, the data reveals that both I and my brother spend approximately 15 to 18 hours weekly watching television or videos, exceeding our initial intentions by over three hours. This overextension echoes Kubey and Csikszentmihalyi’s assertion that viewers tend to watch longer than planned, driven by the sedative effects of TV that promote relaxation and escape (Kubey and Csikszentmihalyi, p. 3). Furthermore, my brother’s account highlights how the desire for relaxation outweighs the discomfort caused by excessive viewing, leading to frustration and a potential cycle of compulsive consumption (Kubey and Csikszentmihalyi, p. 6).

From a social perspective, the data supports Winn’s argument that television becomes embedded into family routines, often replacing face-to-face interactions and outdoor activities. The family’s shared dinners, during which television is frequently watched, serve as a social ritual, yet also emphasize TV’s role as a social lubricant rather than an enhancer of direct human contact. The family’s choice to watch TV during meals and leisure times reflects Winn’s critique of television’s influence on socialization and community involvement—substituting real-world engagement with mediated entertainment.

The data also suggests that television viewing induces relaxation similar to Kubey and Csikszentmihalyi’s description of “body at rest” and “attention-grabbing” qualities, fostering a passive state that can be hard to break free from (Kubey and Csikszentmihalyi, p. 3). My brother’s tendency to switch shows when bored or feeling ridiculous about a program demonstrates how viewers seek constant novelty and comfort, often at the expense of more productive activities. This constant indulgence in relaxation correlates with Winn’s concern that television impairs participation in outdoor sports, social events, and academic pursuits, ultimately impacting quality of life (Winn, p. 9).

Furthermore, the emotional responses reported—feeling relaxed yet sometimes frustrated when unable to limit viewing—highlight the complex psychological effects of television. Kubey and Csikszentmihalyi describe this as a paradox where prolonged viewing becomes less rewarding despite the short-term relief it provides (p. 7). The feeling of being unable to reduce consumption despite recognizing its drawbacks illustrates a form of habitual or compulsive behavior, suggestive of the addictive tendencies Kubey and Csikszentmihalyi discuss. Winn’s depiction of television as a 'plug-in drug' reinforces the idea that technology often becomes an external stimulant that manipulates emotions and attention, leading to an addictive cycle.

This alignment between the theoretical literature and the observed data underscores the validity of the argument that television’s negative effects tend to overshadow its positive contributions. While watching TV can be a source of relaxation and social bonding temporarily, it often leads to decreased physical activity, reduced social interaction outside the mediated environment, and a decline in overall life satisfaction. The tendency to overconsume media and neglect active pursuits points to the importance of moderation and awareness in television habits.

References

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