Research

I have researched into the cultivation theory, which suggests that the more we watch of something the more influenced we are by it. It is a theory by Professor George Gerbner, and he states that people who watch more television or intake more media texts are most likely to be influenced by what they see.

 Another theory i could apply is the idea of hyperreality. In the modern world, much of "reality" is mediated in some way. Reality programmes are constructed for the viewers entertainment, a lot of what we see on screen in reality shows is not actually reality. People know they're being observed which makes them act differently and the producers choose what to show when, even if it isnt in realistic form.  Information is edited and packaged into news programs, so what is real is often processed and shaped to fit a particular narrative structure. In hyperreality, the copy becomes more valuable than the real thing, and what something symbolizes is more important than what the thing actually is.

Constructions of realism. The media tries to represent what they show as real, and for passive audiences they are influenced and believe what they see as the 'real world'. This can change their views on people, issues and other aspects of society, to the way the producers want them to be seen.