People Share Unrealistic Things From TV And Movies That Wouldn't Work In Real Life
Have you ever seen something on TV and thought, "That's just not right!" Well, these people thought so too.
How often are you sitting and watching something on TV or in the movies, thinking to yourself, "Wait, that's not how that works" or "That's just ridiculous"? Probably more often than you'd like to admit. The truth is, although our favorite shows are inspired by real life and real people, sometimes things are just a little too... strange. According to Dr. Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel Prize-winning psychologist, "Our brains are wired to notice inconsistencies, especially when they contradict our experiences." This highlights why certain portrayals can feel so unrealistic. Thanks to Dr. Angela Duckworth, a renowned researcher on character, we understand that "the small details matter greatly in shaping our perceptions." Perhaps you're about to find someone who shares your little annoyance, or maybe you'll discover something new...
Lexxeffect says:
“Regaining consciousness after receiving CPR.”
Celesteshine says:
“People having copious amounts of time to spend with their friends, not being tired after work.”
Auto_Fac says:
“I am an Anglican priest.
We are never found lingering alone in candlelit churches late at night, picking up service bulletins or books from pews.
Yet every movie shows priests and ministers puttering around dark churches cleaning up.”
SnippySky says:
“Eight hours of travel and the character’s hair and outfit are still perfect.”
Lilflower says:
“If you are being attacked by multiple bad guys, they will each wait their turn to attack. This bugs the heck out of me.”
Unpacking Unrealistic Media Representations
The portrayal of unrealistic scenarios in movies and TV shows can have significant implications for viewers' perceptions of reality.
Research published in the Journal of Communication reveals that repeated exposure to such content can lead to distorted beliefs about social norms and expectations.
For instance, the phenomenon known as 'mean world syndrome' indicates that heavy media consumers may perceive the world as more dangerous than it actually is, affecting their behaviors and choices.
JingleJangleG says:
“Weird that nobody mentioned that in movies, everybody always looks at each other while driving. And they move the damn steering wheel way too much while driving straight forward; it pisses me off.”
The_Amazing_Username
“Everyone is young, especially doctors, professors, and specialists. They all seem to be at the top of their field with years of experience, and they are all like 22... and hot.”
BalckCaaaaat says:
“People on low incomes, e.g., students, living in expensive homes. I’m not necessarily talking about mansions, more like a large apartment in a big, expensive city with no roommates.”
jumpinleg says:
“Turning on the TV or radio that happens to be covering the subject the characters were talking about. Unless you are talking about September 11, that would never happen.
Never discussing a meeting location, like for dinner.”
sunflore_7777 says:
“Women in high heels all day long. Sometimes they run in them to tackle a bad guy or to get away from a bad guy. The next day, they put their non-swollen feet back in them without complaint.
Oh, women never sweat their makeup off. Their faces never have a greasy sheen in Miami in August.”
brad-crop says:
“People opening their front door three seconds after an unexpected knock, like they’re just constantly standing behind the door, just in case.”
Moreover, cognitive dissonance plays a role when individuals encounter unrealistic depictions; they may struggle to reconcile these portrayals with their real-life experiences.
This tension can lead to dissatisfaction and disappointment in personal relationships, as individuals may develop unrealistic expectations based on fictional narratives.
Understanding this dissonance can encourage viewers to critically analyze media content and its impact on their beliefs.
Everst says:
“When someone hides from bullets behind penetrable objects, like tables or a refrigerator door.”
lascielthefallen says:
“Women in action movies who drastically cut their own hair to change their appearance always end up with a fabulous style.”
Cszar says: (And has a good point!)
“Everything medical.
Being in a coma for weeks or months, waking up and walking around a day or two later? Ridiculous. We treat people who were in comas even for just “a few” weeks, and it takes them forever to recover from it.
“His heart stopped beating” and “clear!” – don’t get me started on that.
In the rare cases when they do fake CPR, the actual CPR success rate is about 3%. Yes, 3%. That even goes for health professionals.
Spinal cord injuries: “a miracle, he can walk again.” No, no, no. It takes months and years, and they will remain severely impaired. It’s more like walking with crutches very slowly and not very far for the rest of his or her life.
Gunshot wounds and knife wounds never cause nerve damage. Nope. They do. Again: disabilities for the rest of your life.
No oxygen for more than five minutes (you can go for a longer time in extreme cold): permanent and severe brain damage. Can you guess it? That’s right: severe disabilities for the rest of your life.
The good guy breaks a bone, is in a cast for weeks or months. The cast comes off – the leg looks like new. Nope. It literally stinks (especially in summer), the skin doesn’t look healthy, and yes – massive loss of muscle mass and function. Good news: with enough training (we are talking weeks and months) – no disability!”
lookoutforhtebadger says:
“Winning over a girl by making over-the-top grand gestures (especially when she has already rejected you in the past).
Shattering bottles easily over someone’s head (don’t attempt it unless you want to possibly go to prison for murder).
In action sequences in general, taking an enormous amount of injury and then getting up with a few attractively placed bruises and cuts.
In particular, the trope of the bad guy who more or less needs to be thrown into a jet turbine to be destroyed, or he’ll somehow get back up again.
Characters who always have something witty to say and are never at a loss for words.”
marfou says:
“Finding a parking spot in front of the building you’re going into.”
Eat_Train_cade_IN says:
“Heroes always get the best seat in a busy restaurant or diner!”
The Impact of Fiction on Real-Life Expectations
Psychological studies have shown that exposure to idealized relationships and scenarios can lead to unrealistic standards in personal life.
Individuals may begin to expect their lives to mirror the drama and excitement seen on screen, which can create an ongoing cycle of disappointment when reality falls short.
Research from the University of Pennsylvania suggests that cultivating media literacy can help viewers differentiate between entertainment and reality, ultimately leading to healthier expectations.
PTertro says:
“Not eating the meal that is in front of you.”
IShallPetYourDogo says:
“How nobody in movies hurts their knuckles after punching someone. As a martial artist, I can tell you that if you punch someone in the forehead like they do in the movies, you’d probably just break your own fist.
Hitting someone in the forehead is basically like punching a cinder block, except the skull is actually harder…”
and lastly, eDgAR says:
“So many movies and shows have the trope of cutting the palm of your hand when blood is needed for some sort of ritual. It originated because it was an easy place for them to hide a blood packet back when special effects weren’t what they are today.
However, if you’ve ever had a cut on the palm of your hand, you would know that’s a terrible place to make a wound because you pretty much lose the use of that hand, and it can take a while to heal.
There are much better places to draw blood from, yet we still see it all the time. Hell, I just saw it yesterday in the first episode of the new season of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. And on top of that, the characters are fine in the scenes after, or in the case of shows like Supernatural and The 100, they are making fists and fighting without any problem.”
This phenomenon also raises questions about the responsibility of content creators in shaping societal perceptions.
As media has the power to influence beliefs and behaviors, it is crucial for creators to consider the messages they convey and their potential implications.
Encouraging creators to incorporate more realistic portrayals of life can help mitigate the negative effects of unrealistic expectations on audiences.
Psychological Analysis
The discrepancy between media portrayals and real life can lead to significant frustration and disillusionment. It’s essential to recognize that while these narratives entertain, they don’t always reflect reality.
Encouraging viewers to engage critically with media can help them set more realistic expectations in their own lives.
Analysis generated by AI
Analysis & Alternative Approaches
In conclusion, the unrealistic portrayals in media can shape societal norms and individual expectations in profound ways.
Psychologists emphasize the importance of critical media consumption to combat the effects of these distortions.
By fostering a more accurate understanding of reality, we can mitigate the potential negative impacts of fictional narratives on our lives.
