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"I'll drink to that!" An analysis of alcohol related behaviors and communication practices on MTV's Jersey Shore

Sweet, Stephanie Koziar
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1399040368

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Arts (M.A.), University of Dayton, Communication.
The purpose of this study is to provide a background of alcohol and related risk behaviors, and analyze their portrayal in the popular MTV series Jersey Shore. This study bridges the gap between research conducted in the areas of Reality Television and Health Communication in the media. While previous studies have critically analyzed the genre of Reality Television and the communication of risk related behaviors and Health Communication studies independently, how Reality Television as a genre communicates health related behaviors has yet to be explored. A content analysis was conducted to identify and interpret how physical and communicative behaviors were depicted on MTV's Jersey Shore and categorized how both men and women display and consume, as well as communicate messages, about alcohol. Four frames related to alcohol use were identified: escape, fun, excuse, and problematic/corrective references were used by characters to discuss alcohol use and outcomes. Results indicated high rates of alcohol consumption but minimal depictions of related negative outcomes. In addition, women were shown drinking and intoxicated more often than men, and there were significant differences by sex in terms of communication patterns related to alcohol. Women tended to send more messages that related to potential negative outcomes, and were also more likely to associate alcohol as a means to positive social interaction than their male counterparts. In addition earlier seasons were grouped together and compared to the final season after one character announced an unplanned pregnancy and another underwent substance abuse treatment prior to filming. Although consumption rates did decrease, the communication practices did not change.
Teresa Thompson, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Ronda Scantlin, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
James Robinson, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
105 p.
Communication
health communication; content analysis; reality television; alcohol and media; adolescent risk behavior; MTV; Jersey Shore; alcohol and risk behaviors

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Sweet, S. K. (2014). "I'll drink to that!" An analysis of alcohol related behaviors and communication practices on MTV's Jersey Shore [Master's thesis, University of Dayton]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1399040368

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Sweet, Stephanie. "I'll drink to that!" An analysis of alcohol related behaviors and communication practices on MTV's Jersey Shore. 2014. University of Dayton, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1399040368.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Sweet, Stephanie. ""I'll drink to that!" An analysis of alcohol related behaviors and communication practices on MTV's Jersey Shore." Master's thesis, University of Dayton, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1399040368

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

dayton1399040368
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© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Dayton and OhioLINK.