Models of Male‑Female Relationships in Polish Competition‑Based Reality TV Shows Cover Image

Wzorce relacji damsko-męskich w polskich programach telewizyjnych typu reality show opartych na konwencji konkursu
Models of Male‑Female Relationships in Polish Competition‑Based Reality TV Shows

Author(s): Karina Czepiec‑Veltzé, Wojciech Kułaga
Subject(s): Media studies, Communication studies, Sociology, Sociology of Culture
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: stereotypes; reality show; gender; television; male-female relationships

Summary/Abstract: Television programmes with a reality show format primarily provide viewers with entertainment based on dynamic plot developments and the opportunity to watch how celebrities or media novices deal with reality and the difficult tasks set by the programme’s scriptwriters. Each production of this type carries a number of different values and patterns, including attitudes towards human gender and the relationship between men and women. This article aims to identify and systematise what patterns and models of male-female relationships appear in the four Polish most popular reality shows based on the competition convention. Four formats, whose main goal is for male-female couples to win, preceded by a game and competition between all participants, were selected for the study: “Hotel Paradise”, “Love Island”, “Sanatorium of Love” and “Ex on the Beach”. These productions share similar gameplay rules, while they differ in the participants’ age, social status, and broadcaster’s profile. The research methodology is based on the analysis of social representations, with a special focus on gender stereotypes and determining their current categories. Based on a random sample of episodes from these four programmes, the research assumptions concerning the reproduction of cultural stereotypes of biological sex in Polish reality shows were verified.

  • Issue Year: 2024
  • Issue No: 1 (257)
  • Page Range: 105 - 120
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Polish
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