Post by Teddy Bear on Sept 17, 2012 22:07:11 GMT
Here's an example of how poor journalism, and conclusions obtained from dubious 'studies', can give results that don't have any bearing on real truth and facts.
Here's the article from the Daily Mail that wants to tell you, based on research, that watching repeats can boost self-control and willpower.
Now as far as I know, the BBC haven't yet used this 'research' to justify the amount of repeats they show, but I wouldn't be surprised if they've noted it, and will use it as necessary in the future. It's so convenient that I had to look in these claims for myself, and there's an important detail that's been omitted.
Just to prove how poor is the journalism involved in writing this article, the author Daniel Bates didn't even check to see that the researcher, Professor Jaye Derrick, is a woman and not a man.
Also, the results of this study, which was done in 2008, so why it's suddenly been found relevant is anybody's guess, but can be found here: Social surrogacy: How favored television programs provide the experience of belonging
What should have been noted is that the average age of the 701 participants used is 18.86, so unlikely to remember a time when it was common to have far more creative and genuinely more entertaining programmes than made today. Most of the repeats shown were made before these people were born, or before they were allowed up late enough to watch them when they first came out. Personally I would much rather watch a well made creative and entertaining film than a repeat. But in the absence of new stuff due to a paucity of material made today, then and only then would I rather watch a repeat of a well made and creative programme.
But no doubt the BBC will use this 'study' to justify their need to show repeats since they lack the creativity to produce anything as good in modern times.
Here's the article from the Daily Mail that wants to tell you, based on research, that watching repeats can boost self-control and willpower.
Roll on Christmas! Watching TV repeats is good for you, study says
Researchers found repeats can boost self-control and willpower
By Daniel Bates
If you find that, yet again, the television schedules are packed with repeats don’t despair – they may be doing you good.
Viewing a show more than once can have a ‘restorative effect’ on the mind and a measurable benefit on your mental well-being, a study has suggested.
Additionally, watching a programme you have seen before may even boost your self-control and willpower.
US scientists asked a group of participants to keep a daily diary about tasks that required a lot of effort.
They were also asked to monitor their media consumption and their energy levels.
Analysis of the diaries revealed the participants were more likely to watch a rerun of their favourite show if they had something demanding to do that day.
Professor Jaye Derrick, of the University at Buffalo, New York State, said that when viewers watched repeats they used up less mental energy, thus saving it for tougher tasks.
He added: ‘When you watch a favourite rerun, you typically don’t have to use any effort to control what you are thinking, saying or doing.
‘You are not exerting the mental energy required for self-control or willpower. At the same time, you are enjoying your “interaction” with the TV show’s characters, and this activity restores your energy. People have a limited pool of these valuable mental resources.
‘When they use them on a task, they use up some of this limited resource.’
The finding is bound to please fans of such oft-repeated shows as Only Fools and Horses and The Vicar of Dibley, which have dominated the airwaves for decades.
But those hoping just to slump in front of the TV should note that things are not quite as simple as that.
Professor Derrick added: ‘Just watching whatever is on TV does not provide the same benefit, and perhaps surprisingly, watching a new episode of a favourite show for the first time does not provide the same benefit.’
British viewers are more used to repeats than they would like to be – the BBC recently admitted that they made up 61 per cent of programming.
Researchers found repeats can boost self-control and willpower
By Daniel Bates
If you find that, yet again, the television schedules are packed with repeats don’t despair – they may be doing you good.
Viewing a show more than once can have a ‘restorative effect’ on the mind and a measurable benefit on your mental well-being, a study has suggested.
Additionally, watching a programme you have seen before may even boost your self-control and willpower.
US scientists asked a group of participants to keep a daily diary about tasks that required a lot of effort.
They were also asked to monitor their media consumption and their energy levels.
Analysis of the diaries revealed the participants were more likely to watch a rerun of their favourite show if they had something demanding to do that day.
Professor Jaye Derrick, of the University at Buffalo, New York State, said that when viewers watched repeats they used up less mental energy, thus saving it for tougher tasks.
He added: ‘When you watch a favourite rerun, you typically don’t have to use any effort to control what you are thinking, saying or doing.
‘You are not exerting the mental energy required for self-control or willpower. At the same time, you are enjoying your “interaction” with the TV show’s characters, and this activity restores your energy. People have a limited pool of these valuable mental resources.
‘When they use them on a task, they use up some of this limited resource.’
The finding is bound to please fans of such oft-repeated shows as Only Fools and Horses and The Vicar of Dibley, which have dominated the airwaves for decades.
But those hoping just to slump in front of the TV should note that things are not quite as simple as that.
Professor Derrick added: ‘Just watching whatever is on TV does not provide the same benefit, and perhaps surprisingly, watching a new episode of a favourite show for the first time does not provide the same benefit.’
British viewers are more used to repeats than they would like to be – the BBC recently admitted that they made up 61 per cent of programming.
Now as far as I know, the BBC haven't yet used this 'research' to justify the amount of repeats they show, but I wouldn't be surprised if they've noted it, and will use it as necessary in the future. It's so convenient that I had to look in these claims for myself, and there's an important detail that's been omitted.
Just to prove how poor is the journalism involved in writing this article, the author Daniel Bates didn't even check to see that the researcher, Professor Jaye Derrick, is a woman and not a man.
Also, the results of this study, which was done in 2008, so why it's suddenly been found relevant is anybody's guess, but can be found here: Social surrogacy: How favored television programs provide the experience of belonging
What should have been noted is that the average age of the 701 participants used is 18.86, so unlikely to remember a time when it was common to have far more creative and genuinely more entertaining programmes than made today. Most of the repeats shown were made before these people were born, or before they were allowed up late enough to watch them when they first came out. Personally I would much rather watch a well made creative and entertaining film than a repeat. But in the absence of new stuff due to a paucity of material made today, then and only then would I rather watch a repeat of a well made and creative programme.
But no doubt the BBC will use this 'study' to justify their need to show repeats since they lack the creativity to produce anything as good in modern times.