June 03, 2015
Does Reality TV Make You a Better Person?
It's a lazy Sunday afternoon and you find yourself in the middle of a binge-watch of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Reality TV is definitely a guilty pleasure for many of us. As Kris and Khloe go head to head on a 5 million dollar yacht or The Real Housewives unleash profanities at each other at a charitable gala, we feel absorbed and also like we're losing a few valuable braincells.
However, German researchers have discovered that reality TV might be beneficial to the brain. According to the study, watching some particularly humiliating moments for our favourite reality stars, activated compassion and empathy. Egotism was suppressed while viewing these clips, and a knowledge of social etiquette was increased. This study concludes the remarkable depth of the human capacity for emotion and empathy.
So next time your man is teasing you for getting involved in an episode of The Bachelor, let him know there's science to prove that it's making you more empathetic. And if he knows what's good for him, maybe he should watch the rose ceremony with you.
What is your favourite reality tv guilty pleasure? Share with us!
However, German researchers have discovered that reality TV might be beneficial to the brain. According to the study, watching some particularly humiliating moments for our favourite reality stars, activated compassion and empathy. Egotism was suppressed while viewing these clips, and a knowledge of social etiquette was increased. This study concludes the remarkable depth of the human capacity for emotion and empathy.
So next time your man is teasing you for getting involved in an episode of The Bachelor, let him know there's science to prove that it's making you more empathetic. And if he knows what's good for him, maybe he should watch the rose ceremony with you.
What is your favourite reality tv guilty pleasure? Share with us!