Interpersonal interaction on television: Family conflict and jealousy on primetime

Abstract

Primetime television programs were analyzed for the presence of interpersonal predicaments, specifically family conflict and situations involving jealousy, envy, and rivalry. The portrayal of these situations was evaluated according to relevant prosocial and antisocial criteria. Findings suggest that the predicaments are common in television relationships and predominantly are depicted in a prosocial manner across situation comedies, family dramas, and nighttime soaps. Gender differences, however, are prevalent within the televised interaction patterns. In addition, the frequency of these predicaments varies across program type.