Why do adolescents watch scripted reality-TV? : A typology based on viewing movies.

Scripted Reality shows center on ordinary people and their everyday problems; using stylistic elements of non-fictional programs they misleadingly suggest being real reports rather than fictional programs. Since Scripted Realities are especially popular among young recipients, this might lead to specific problems in media socialization. To understand the significance of this genre in young people's media socialization, it is important to know their viewing motives. The current study uses a multi method design combining qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey to establish a typology of four distinct prototypic groups of adolescent and young adult recipients of Scripted Reality. While (1) enthusiasts gain multiple and various gratifications from watching these shows, (2) advice seekers anticipate learning something from the conflicts shown. (3) Entertainment seekers may expect to be activated and entertained and (4) bored recipients turn to them only to pass time. (DIPF/Orig.).