A NARRATIVE CRITICISM OF LIFESTYLE REALITY PROGRAMS Cover Image

A NARRATIVE CRITICISM OF LIFESTYLE REALITY PROGRAMS
A NARRATIVE CRITICISM OF LIFESTYLE REALITY PROGRAMS

Author(s): Travis Loof
Subject(s): Media studies, Business Economy / Management, Social Informatics, Business Ethics
Published by: University of Lincoln and World Experience Campus Foundation
Keywords: Lifestyle reality television; consumer; narrative; narrative theory; interdisciplinary; reality television; housing collapse;

Summary/Abstract: This article seeks to understand and explain the relationship between lifestyle reality television programs and consumers. Specifically, this article outlines this relationship from a critical narrative perspective by interrogating two common story structures within lifestyle reality programming. By analyzing these narratives, conclusions are drawn about the role of story in consumer behavior. Additionally, this article argues that through the combination of the rhetorical situation of the housing collapse and narrative storytelling, consumers are taught how to perceive and interact when considering the purchase of a house. Finally, this article synthesizes Social Cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986) in conjunction with Narrative theory (Fisher, 1984) to explore how rhetorical criticism can use social science to better understand lived, mediated, experience.

  • Issue Year: 1/2015
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 167-178
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: English