Study Finds That Unhappy People Watch More Television - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 11-16-2008, 02:57 AM

Jeanna Bryner
Senior Writer
LiveScience.com jeanna Bryner
senior Writer
livescience.com – Sat Nov 15, 1:34 pm ET

Unhappy people glue themselves to the television 30 percent more than happy people.

The finding, announced on Thursday, comes from a survey of nearly 30,000 American adults conducted between 1975 and 2006 as part of the General Social Survey.

While happy people reported watching an average of 19 hours of television per week, unhappy people reported 25 hours a week. The results held even after taking into account education, income, age and marital status.

In addition, happy individuals were more socially active, attended more religious services, voted more and read a newspaper more often than their less-chipper counterparts.

The researchers are not sure, though, whether unhappiness leads to more television-watching or more viewing leads to unhappiness.

In fact, people say they like watching television: Past research has shown that when people watch television they enjoy it. In these studies, participants reported that on a scale from 0 (dislike) to 10 (greatly enjoy), TV-watching was nearly an 8.

But perhaps the high from watching television doesn't last.

"These conflicting data suggest that TV may provide viewers with short-run pleasure, but at the expense of long-term malaise," said researcher John Robinson, a sociologist at the University of Maryland, College Park.

In this scenario, even the happiest campers could turn into Debbie-downers if they continue to stare at the boob-tube. The researchers suggest that over time, television-viewing could push out other activities that do have more lasting benefits. Exercise and sex come to mind, as do parties and other forms of socialization known to have psychological benefits.

Or, maybe television is simply a refuge for people who are already unhappy.

"TV is not judgmental nor difficult, so people with few social skills or resources for other activities can engage in it," Robinson and UM colleague Steven Martin write in the December issue of the journal Social Indicators Research.

They add, "Furthermore, chronic unhappiness can be socially and personally debilitating and can interfere with work and most social and personal activities, but even the unhappiest people can click a remote and be passively entertained by a TV."

The researchers say follow-up studies are needed to tease out the relationship between television and happiness.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/...atchlotsmoretv

dawsongirl · 11-16-2008, 03:06 AM

I'm unhappy a lot and I watch less TV than I used to. Okay, so I replaced it with internet games, but still...take that researchers.

Wreckless · 11-16-2008, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

I'm unhappy a lot and I watch less TV than I used to. Okay, so I replaced it with internet games, but still...take that researchers.

LOL...

It is true and a pretty good assessment.. I watch a lot of TV when I'm bored, tired, sad. Sometimes though, I just want a good laugh, love certain shows or want to watch a ball game, or sports in general. But I do agree, it definitely applies to my life.

ekkostar · 11-16-2008, 11:04 AM

I don't really watch television that much and when I do, it's usually reruns. I feel like the internet depresses me more these days, but I cannot pull myself away. It's the carwreck syndrome. There's just too much amusing/disturbing material and I cannot turn away and haven't been able to in my 12 years online.

waichingliu81 · 11-16-2008, 01:43 PM

it depends on the types of programmes that people choose to watch. i watch tv, mainly on the computer though because there is so much crap on tv right now and also because i miss the old shows; i prefer cartoons and sitcoms because unlike other types of shows they put a smile on my face. i do understand to an extent why people watch a lot of tv- it is not exactly something that gets you out of the house. you just sit on your sofa or whatever, which is why people get the 'couch potato' tag, rather than do something practical or recreational, or an activity which keeps you fit like jogging or playing a sport for eg.

11-16-2008, 02:57 AM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,034	Study Finds That Unhappy People Watch More Television Jeanna Bryner Senior Writer LiveScience.com jeanna Bryner senior Writer livescience.com – Sat Nov 15, 1:34 pm ET Unhappy people glue themselves to the television 30 percent more than happy people. The finding, announced on Thursday, comes from a survey of nearly 30,000 American adults conducted between 1975 and 2006 as part of the General Social Survey. While happy people reported watching an average of 19 hours of television per week, unhappy people reported 25 hours a week. The results held even after taking into account education, income, age and marital status. In addition, happy individuals were more socially active, attended more religious services, voted more and read a newspaper more often than their less-chipper counterparts. The researchers are not sure, though, whether unhappiness leads to more television-watching or more viewing leads to unhappiness. In fact, people say they like watching television: Past research has shown that when people watch television they enjoy it. In these studies, participants reported that on a scale from 0 (dislike) to 10 (greatly enjoy), TV-watching was nearly an 8. But perhaps the high from watching television doesn't last. "These conflicting data suggest that TV may provide viewers with short-run pleasure, but at the expense of long-term malaise," said researcher John Robinson, a sociologist at the University of Maryland, College Park. In this scenario, even the happiest campers could turn into Debbie-downers if they continue to stare at the boob-tube. The researchers suggest that over time, television-viewing could push out other activities that do have more lasting benefits. Exercise and sex come to mind, as do parties and other forms of socialization known to have psychological benefits. Or, maybe television is simply a refuge for people who are already unhappy. "TV is not judgmental nor difficult, so people with few social skills or resources for other activities can engage in it," Robinson and UM colleague Steven Martin write in the December issue of the journal Social Indicators Research. They add, "Furthermore, chronic unhappiness can be socially and personally debilitating and can interfere with work and most social and personal activities, but even the unhappiest people can click a remote and be passively entertained by a TV." The researchers say follow-up studies are needed to tease out the relationship between television and happiness. http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/...atchlotsmoretv

11-16-2008, 11:04 AM	#4
ekkostar Coffee, Tea & Larroquette! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 1,077	I don't really watch television that much and when I do, it's usually reruns. I feel like the internet depresses me more these days, but I cannot pull myself away. It's the carwreck syndrome. There's just too much amusing/disturbing material and I cannot turn away and haven't been able to in my 12 years online.
	__________________ "All my sitcoms had an audience, with four or five cameras, so working this way has always been appealing to me." - John Larroquette A living legend, five Emmys and a Tony award! Your favorites could never...

11-16-2008, 03:06 AM	#2
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	I'm unhappy a lot and I watch less TV than I used to. Okay, so I replaced it with internet games, but still...take that researchers.

11-16-2008, 01:43 PM	#5
waichingliu81 debbie allen Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2006 Location: london, england, UK Posts: 4,347	it depends on the types of programmes that people choose to watch. i watch tv, mainly on the computer though because there is so much crap on tv right now and also because i miss the old shows; i prefer cartoons and sitcoms because unlike other types of shows they put a smile on my face. i do understand to an extent why people watch a lot of tv- it is not exactly something that gets you out of the house. you just sit on your sofa or whatever, which is why people get the 'couch potato' tag, rather than do something practical or recreational, or an activity which keeps you fit like jogging or playing a sport for eg.