Is the Television Addictive?
Desire can be a very powerful and harmful emotion for both human and non-human creatures. To the fish a baited lure may be its demise, as well as cheese on a trap for a mouse. For humans a simple desire can become much more, however. Indulging too much in ones attractions can lead to an addiction, which can be much more serious. This is illustrated well with the example of alcohol usage. In limited amounts alcohol can be fairly safe, unfortunately though, alcohol is an incredibly desirable substance to many people. This fact causes many people to desire alcohol to the point of obsession and addiction, and when these levels are reached, harm to the individual is almost assured. The harm caused by addiction is not limited to drugs and alcohol, though. Other addictions can arouse in the use of computers, work, and games. Even the television can become a severe addiction. The television has had its hold on nearly everyone at one point or another, the average American spends around three hours a day in front of a television. This is nearly half of the average Americans free time, this works out to be nine whole years in front of a T.V. for the average American who lives to be 75. To som
One such study took measurements of brain wave activity, skin resistance, and heart rate, while subjects were sat down in a room and let to watch television. Television can be just as harmful as a drug addiction as well and should not be treated lightly. It does not discriminate from person to person, and is much easily accessible than drugs. If you feel that a person you know may be suffering of television addiction you should confront them about the issue and express your worries to them. Both of these studies showed that when watching television the subject was both more relaxed. A person with a television addiction should seek out help from their friends and family before they are lost to them. By watching very excessive amounts of television, it is possible to loose touch or twisting your sense of reality, many studies have been done on the affects of violence in the media, computer games and television, directly relating to violence done by real people. This 'instant gratification' caused by turning on the television is conditioning viewers to see television as a source of relaxation. This coincides with the more complex experiment's findings of the lack of mental stimulation experienced by the subjects. Also extended periods in front of a television can cause a person to become unhealthy physically due to lack of exercise and fresh air. Another interesting finding of these studies is that within minutes of the television being turned back on, subjects were once again relaxed. Another thing the more elaborate study showed was that as soon as the television was turned off the relaxation levels of the subject was also diminished by a very severe amount. The same holds true with the television. Another harmful effect of extended use of the television is the loss of social interaction with your loved ones.
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