One thing I found particularly interesting this week was Schachter and Singer's two-factor theory. For a quick recap on the theory, part one is after an incident that causes an emotion we experience an arousal, or alertness. The second part is when our brains try and explain this arousal. Once we link it to an incident, we label the arousal with an emotion, whether it is fear, happiness, or sadness. I have a friend who loves watching The Bachelor. I, on the other hand, think it's a dumb idea. How can these two people fall in love, the type where they grow old together, in front of cameras, an audience, and other competitors? Now as much as I dislike it, I have seen enough of it. There was always a question as to why the dates were so elaborate. One explanation I thought of was why not? The show is paying for them and thinking of them. The audience at home wouldn't be very happy with watching the couple enjoy a night out at Applebee's followed by a movie. After hearing about this theory, I wonder if the dates are even more of a set-up to get these two people to form a stronger bond in a short amount of time. This seems plausible, especially after seeing Jake and Vienna bungee jumping. Jake said that she had a way of calming him. Vienna said that kissing Jake was like kissing no other guy. Well, they both had these experiences before and after bungee jumping, Jake beforehand when he was trying to conquer his fear of heights and Vienna after jumping off the bridge. Jake said after he could see their relationship lasting because of this (which it didn't, big shocker). It seems to me The Bachelor is aware of the two-factor theory and uses it as a means to try and form a relationship between two people, even though more often than not, these relationships never last. If the show does use this theory, it makes me curious to know how other reality shows manipulate the contestants and the viewers. And I don't mean by just piecing and airing certain footage but with other psychological means.
And the final rose goes to...
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Ah, the beauty of reality television shows. I cannot stand watching the Bachelor or Bachelorette, yet at the same time I can't look away. It's such a train wreck. "Oh, I'm so in love". Yeah right. Their idea of love is this highly glamorized dating series that no one knows what happens when the cameras are off. Then a few weeks later, the tabloids come out - He cheated on her. She's heart broken. Who lied? Who cheated? - It's a disaster. The two-factor theory is definitely applied in this case. We first feel this emotion (because let's face it, if I was in a beautiful mansion with a good looking bachelor, I could be persuaded to "fall in love") but as soon as those cameras are off and I'm back to my normal life, how could I explain what that pseudo feeling of love was? It was just a glamour dating lifestyle. And it only lasted for one hour every Monday night for a couple of weeks.
Now that you've brought it up, I can look back and see that almost every moment in the Bachelor/Bachelorette house had some influence from the two-factor theory. That is probably why almost all of the relationships from that television show end in break ups. I wonder if their success rates of relationships would indeed increase if their dates consisted of movies and Applebees.
I have heard of reality dating shows having psychologists around to do just as you stated above. The bachelor is a great example of how the contestants are almost "tricked" into falling in love so fast. They are given these experiences of traveling to the most beautiful places and do the craziest things they otherwise wouldn't be able to do. Why wouldn't they fall in love with the guy that made all that possible? When they get into the real world, those experiences aren't staged anymore and they soon realize that love on a television show is not possible, except for the one exception of Trista who is still married to the guy she chose on Season 1.
I wonder also how prevalent the two factor theory is in enabling relationships to form. I agree that if I went bungee jumping with someone, I would feel much more connected to that person afterwards as well. Is this process reflecting real love or just making people think that they are in love? Maybe after several standard dates such as dinner and a movie , having a once in a lifetime experience with that person could possibly strengthen the relationship since the two people have now shared something unique together. Who knows though as reality television shows have proven, that created love often doesn't last.
I completely agree with one of the previous comments, that most of the dates on the Bachelor are influenced by the two-factor theory. I am a fan of the Bachelor, even though I know that finding love on reality tv isn't realistic. However, if the two-factor theory wasn't used to manipulate the dates and the people on the show, it would probably be boring. The people who go on the show know what they're signing up for, and that they probably won't find their true love on the show.
I agree with a lot of what has been said. I used to love the show and it just humors me that so many of these relationships fail. I agree that the two-factor theory is the exact reason they fail too. Of course it is not as exciting to be in "love" anymore when your not flying and traveling across the world in the most beautiful and attractive places. I think it they would just be in normal houses and places they might have a better chance of falling in love, but also, nobody would watch the show.
I must admit that I am an avid fan of 'The Bachelor,' and I completely agree with your thoughts regarding the two-factor theory as a means of forming a relationship on the show. I mean, come on, how can you not feel 'in love' when you're with an attractive person on a yacht in Tahiti?! The show manipulates these psychological principles of attraction in order to form an engagement at the end of the season. I find it hard to believe that in a real-life, everyday setting someone could fall in love after a matter of weeks while competing against a slew of others. How romantic could that be? It's frightening to think that it is often due to outside factors, not our true hearts, that give us 'butterflies' and make us feel in love! Regardless of the two-factor theory, however, I will continue to watch 'The Bachelor' religiously!