Abstract
This paper explores the role of actors and popular personalities on shaping society, especially when seen on reality TV shows. The author explains the appeal of reality TV and further describes the methodology used in this study. Additionally, the psychological factors of being a viewer of reality TV are discussed. Some of the pitfalls of this research project from a sociological standpoint are presented and analyzed. The paper contains a long discussion on qualitative research and how this approach is applied to this study of reality TV. The paper also contains a chart that categorizes reality TV characters.

Outline:
Methodology
Rationale
Reality TV as a Social Observation Experiment
Conducting Credible Sociological Research
The Nature of Qualitative Research
Reality TV Character Categorization
Transforming Observational Data into Numerical Form
Works Cited

From the Paper
" Reality TV is one of the most popular genres in the mass media today. The viewership of these programs increases at an astonishing rate. Reality TV allows the viewer to combine both reality and fantasy in a unique blend. We know that the characters have some effects on the adults that watch. However, until now this subject has received little attention. Some of the characters on reality TV would not be considered role models a major portion of the society. The proposed research will examine the presence of negative role models in British Reality Television."

Tags:television, actors, role, models, youth, reality, shows

Abstract
The paper asserts that the definition of reality is as much a philosophical question as it is one of physics and spatial dimensions. The paper then discusses how the concept of reality or what can be defined as real is also very much related to perception and the consensus of the ones that are engaged in perceiving or the act of perceiving. The paper looks at how defining the character of reality first begins with Plato because he was the first of the classical philosophers who attempted to refine what constituted reality and upon what principles that reality was based with his "world of forms".

From the Paper
"The definition of reality is as much a philosophical question as it is one of physics and spatial dimensions. The concept of reality or what can be defined as real is also very much related to perception and the consensus of the ones that are engaged in perceiving or the act of perceiving. Defining the character of reality first begins with Plato because he was the first of the classical philosophers who attempted to refine what constituted reality and upon what principles that reality was based with his "world of forms" and his discourse on likeness and similarity: "does not everything that is going to be counted as impious have some single...""

Tags:reality, perception, consensus

Abstract
This paper focuses on Starhawk's philosophy that language shapes consciousness and consciousness shapes reality. Within the paper it is shown that Starhawk's belief is that language can have a deciding factor on a person's perception of themselves, and through this perception they develop concepts of reality in their consciousness. Therefore, this perception then shapes their reality.

From the Paper
"Reality, according to Starhawks, is a state in which we must find definition. It is how we define reality within our consciousness that ultimately determines the type of power that will control our lives. As individuals, what we perceive to be real will be. What we believe to be true will happen. The key to discovering a harmony in life is to come to the realization that people do have a final say in how their lives will be lived, and through the consciousness every individual can make that choice. To understand how this is possible the individual must first comprehend that there are powers in the world. Starhawks contends that there is the "power-over" which is any power that comes from outside of the individual that is controlling."

Tags:starhawk, reality, consciousness

Abstract
The paper discusses how entry-level professionals usually have impressions of their chosen profession that must be reconciled with reality upon entering the workplace, and this is especially true for teachers. This paper explores what happens when impressions of what teaching will be like meet with the reality of teaching. The writer relates how important lessons for him occurred in the areas of teacher workload, compensation, and classroom management.

From the Paper
"This paper will explore what happens when impressions of what teaching will be like meet with the reality of teaching. Important lessons for me occurred in the areas of teacher workload, compensation, and classroom management. Almost everyone in America feels they know something about schools and teaching. After all, nearly everyone has experienced (or is experiencing) the public school journey. It is so familiar to us, beginning teachers often think there are few surprises that could possibly be in store. This is what is referred to as a "steep learning curve." The reality of..."

Tags:impressions, reality, teaching

Abstract
The paper discusses how Plato, in his Allegory of the Cave from the "Republic", emphasized the importance of not mistaking appearances for reality. The paper explains that this allegory represents the common experience of mankind as being like those whose lives are spent confined in a cave with experience of only shadows and echoes rather than the real objects that are the causes of those shadows and echoes. The paper discusses how Plato represents the quest for knowledge - the education process in its ideal form - as being the effort to discern the reality of things rather than their causal effects (Plato p.275).

From the Paper
"To fully understand the world as it is, one must be able to determine the causes of things. This assertion, with regard to the significance of determining causes to an understanding of the world, goes to foundations of the philosophical study of knowledge and the scientific method that developed out of this study. Plato, in his "Allegory of the Cave" from the Republic, emphasized the importance of not mistaking appearances for reality. This allegory..."

Tags:philosophy, essay, reality

Abstract
This paper discusses two topics relevant to reference material: language as a function in society; and the definitions of reality. The case is made that language is the fabric by which the social quilt is sewn together. At the same time, the case is made that a lack of language immersion can be made up for in children under the aga of six. Reality on the other hand is discussed in terms of how it differs from one society to another and is measured according to individuality, frames, mental perceptions, and other such metrics.

From the Paper
StudentFirstName Student LastName Dr. ProfessorFirstName Professor LastName Psychology 123 20 March 2009 Language and Reality 1. Language is one of the main tools used by people to communicate with each other. In the absence of language, the only form of communication possible is through unintelligible utterances and physical gesturing. Language gives color to life and allows individuals to express themselves and to comprehend the world around them through dialogue, music, film, and

Tags:language, reality, society

Abstract
This paper uses reality television as an example of race, class, gender and sexual orientation in popular culture. The author argues that reality television shows are filled with stereotypes. The paper relates that these stereotypes are used to maintain the status quo.

From the Paper
"Reality television, which is a hybrid of a game show and a documentary, is a relatively recent development. Basically contestants have to do some type of unusual activity and this activity is filmed for a television audience. The nature of the activity and the prizes vary from show to show with some shows involving stunts and large cash prizes, other shows involve changing life styles and the prize is a new and supposedly better lifestyle. Although the contests on reality television programs are not actors they are still picked using a very deliberate selection process."

Tags:reality, television, stereotypes

Abstract
This eight page undergraduate paper examines reality TV and its impact on viewers, producers, and the television industry itself. Through summarizing the main content of the reading, the writer shows that a structured analysis can be formulated which confirms that the interest of the television audience drives the process. The writer points out that TV producers react to what the public wants to see, and it is obvious from the ratings success of reality shows that they are very popular.

From the Paper
"Conducting an independent study of television is useful and instructive, for it provides an opportunity to analyze the challenges, concepts, and arguments involved concerning reality TV and its impact on viewers, producers, and the television industry itself. Through summarizing the main content of the reading, a structured analysis can be formulated which confirms that the interest of the television audience drives the process. TV producers react to what the public wants to see, and it is obvious from the ratings success of reality shows that they are very popular. In "Addicted to the Tube" author Mark Pizzato's main argument is that people are vulnerable to becoming addicted to television because it stirs the human desire for fantasy and escapism."

Tags:reality, tv, issues

Abstract
This paper examines the reality show phenomenon and considers whether they benefit or harm society, particularly its young people. It discusses the attraction of reality shows and harmful ideas promoted by such shows.

From the Paper
"Reality shows like Survivor appeal to people who are concerned about fitting in with the crowd they hold little interest for those who are not influenced by peer pressure. For those who do feel compelled to watch reality shows however the ..."

Tags:reality shows, vigilante, peer pressure, humiliation

Abstract
This paper examines two of the audio installation works of Canadian artist Janet Cardiff "The Large Slow River" and "Missing Voice" in the context of creating virtual realities. The paper also looks at aspects of the history of recorded sound and voice. In addition, the writer discusses virtual reality as a personal storytelling device. The first page presented in this article is a research proposal.

From the Paper
"The creation of virtual reality is an attempt to re-create the world of actual human experiences through digital means, always attempting to make it more and more realistic. Janet Cardiff's work attempts this also, but without using digital visual representations of reality. Instead she uses sounds and words to elicit the memory and pre-existing knowledge of the audience/participant. This process creates an even more realistic "virtual reality," since memory often involves synesthesia, using all five of your own senses and not just the digitally created artificial ones of computer "virtual reality"."

Tags:virtual, reality, cardiff