The Psychology of Reality T.V.

a Discovery Core Experience

BCORE 107 (Social Sciences)

About This Course

Ever wonder why people think they can find true love on “The Bachelor”? Curious to know why “Love is Blind” has deeper meaning that a show title? What makes a person sign up for “Survivor” and become “a villain”? 

What Will We Study?

We will unpack all these questions and more in The Psychology of Reality TV. By watching and discussing popular reality TV shows, we will uncover how common psychology concepts such as identity, relationships, groups, conformity, race, and gender “show up” in these shows. An interdisciplinary course, we will research the history of reality tv, learn about different shows, and what psychologists have to say about why these shows work.

It’s “must see TV!”

Dr. Janelle M. Silva (she/her/hers)

School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences

About Professor Silva

B.A., Psychology and History of Art & Visual Culture, University of California, Santa Cruz
PhD., Social Psychology and Feminist Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz

Recipient of the University of Washington Bothell Distinguished Teaching Award, 2016

Contact

Office: UW1-338
Phone: 425-352-3202
Email: jmsilva@uw.edu
Mailing Box: 358530, 18115 Campus Way NE, Bothell, WA 98011-8246