Effect of Watching 1

Running Head: EFFECT OF WATCHING

Effects of Watching Too Much Television

Rey Xavier Pérez

Jecenia N. Dones

Thursday, February 26, 2009

University of Puerto Rico in Carolina

Professor: Anais Malinow

ENGL 3104
 Effect of Watching 2

Rey Xavier Perez

Jecenia N. Dones

Topic: Effects of watching too much Television

Thesis statement: The Television was invented with positive thoughts in mind that the

communication would be worldwide, but with this came negative effects that changed its

point of view.

Supporting points: ¹ Addiction, ² mind deterioration and ³escape of their own life.

Technique: Turnabout

Method: 2
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Men have created a lot of inventions trough time. Some of them had disappeared

and others had evolved. One of those inventions that had evolved successfully through

time is Television. At least, the number of hours of Television watched annually by

Americans is 250 billion, positioning the Television as one of the greatest inventions of

all time. The world has been able to see almost every step of men trough history since

this technological advance was created. The Television was invented with positive

thoughts in mind that the communication would be worldwide, but with this came

negative effects that changed its point of view. As a result the effects are ¹addiction,

²mind deterioration and ³the escape of their own lives.

One of the effects cause by the Television on people is ¹addiction; they become

addictives, regardless of the banality of the content with its almost hypnotic power. The

percentage of Americans who says they watch too much TV is 49 million. They may

decide to catch a one-hour educational program, but find themselves immobilized by

TV's power and end up "watching" longer than originally planned. Millions of Americans

are so hooked on Television that they fit the criteria for substance abuse as defined in the

official psychiatric manual, according to Rutgers University psychologist Robert Kubey.

Heavy TV viewers exhibit five dependency symptoms--two more than necessary to arrive

at a clinical diagnosis of substance abuse. Consequently, using Television as a sedative;

indiscriminate viewing; feeling loss of control while viewing; feeling angry with oneself

for watching too much; inability to stop watching; and feeling miserable when kept from

watching. Because of watching too much television it results in mind deterioration.

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According to several scientific studies, watching TV for prolonged periods of

time leads to deterioration of the mental capacity in older people by causing both

attention and memory problems in the long term. Watching too much Television may feel

like it relaxes the brain but it actually agitates and tires it, (Psychologists call it the

“orientation response”) and inhibits your thinking brain. Within thirty seconds of starting

watching TV the critical part of the brain shuts down the ability to think critically or

mindless viewing. The actual flicker effect from TV overloads the brain and it basically

shuts part of itself down. We become passive; our awareness is dulled as is our ability to

respond in an emergency. Eye movement and brain processing are connected and when

watching TV, our brains aren't engaged, we're not interacting, and we're not thinking.

According to researchers, television viewing can also promote sensory deprivation and

decrease creativity, making the television the escape of their own life.

The TV creates the illusion of escape. It shows us people, markets to us, and tells

us what to do (how about laugh?). But the Television is just a plastic box encasing wires

and tubes. There is no true interaction there. The more a person uses, the less inter-

personal interaction they have which leads to depression and loneliness. Withdrawal from

social events, attention problems, and aggression are some manifestations of an

increasing “isolation.” Perhaps it would seem that to be a problem for someone who’s not

around people all the time, however there is a difference from being in the room with

someone and interacting with them—it can be just as lonely (even more so) when people

are around you but no one is paying attention to you.

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In conclusion, Television has two faces: the good and the bad. A good invention

to kill the boredom but with bad effects that can cause addiction, mind deterioration and

bad habits in people lives. People shouldn’t watch too much Television not just because

the content that is not educational; it makes them waste time that could be used in

beneficial activities. In many cases it affects people’s mental development. However, this

does not mean that Television should be banned; moderation is the key to establish the

balance with it. Television is a resource that people should learn to use in many ways,

from the health care, for prevent deterioration of the mental capacity to the right selection

of programs by taking an active attitude towards it. But who can blame the humanity for

convert Television into something good and bad?

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Bibliography

Baack, E. Why People Shouldn't Watch Too Much Television. Retrieved February 25,
2009, from
http://www.eslbee.com/why_people_should_not_watch_too_much_television.htm

Gallozzi, C. Fearless Reader's "Top Picks". TV Watching - Pros and Cons. Retrieved
February 24, 2009, from http://www.myfavoriteezines.com/articles/TV-watching-
pros-cons.html

NormanHerr.Ph.D.(2007).Television&Health.Retrievedfrom February 23, 2009, from

http://www.csun.edu/~vceed002/health/docs/tv&health.html

Womer, S.(2007). Two-Faced Television: the good, the bad, and the downright ugly
effects of watching TV. Retrieved February 24, 2009 from
http://www.xsisterhoodx.com/political/two-faced-television-the-good-the-bad-and-the-
downright-ugly-effects-of-watching-tv.html