CMN 102

Professor B.L Quick

Binge-Watching, Internet, and ‘Faux-Fillment’:

Our Addiction to Bread and Circuses

Justin Bronzell

Introduction

Binge-watching is a prominent phenomena in the modern day, especially among

younger, college-aged people. The narrative complexity of many shows and programs

has increased in recent years (Pittman & Sheehan 2015), facilitating more intricate

plots, longer story-arcs, and deeper characters. But is the creative and cultural gain of

these more-rounded narratives worth the negative effects of fueling the binge-watching

trend? Binge-watching is generally considered a benign, albeit unproductive, activity,

but recent studies suggest that binge-watching not only impacts health and daily

functioning, but could be a runaway process with qualities of addiction (Sussman &

Moran 2013). In this paper, I will explore what research has revealed about binge-

watching, television addiction, and the internet’s use as a social crutch, as well as the

possible implications of these findings.

Summary of Sources

The main article of relevance to this paper is ‘Why Do We Indulge? Exploring

Motivations for Binge Watching’, published in the Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic

Media in 2018 by Sung, Kang, and Lee. The article focused on the definition and

motivations for binge-watching, hoping to expand the former and identify the latter.
Binge-watching is usually defined as watching two or more episodes in one sitting,

however the definition was modified with data from this study to include the length,

frequency, and level of engagement of the binge-watching behavior, resulting in a four-

level categorization of binge-watching that allows the behavior to be qualified as ‘light’

or ‘heavy’. The justification for the modified definition was founded in the parallels

between binge-watching and other binge behaviors, such as binge-eating. The research

questions posed were: What factors are significantly related to binge-watching, and how

is the severity of binge-watching affected by motivational factors? To answer these

questions, a sample of American university students were surveyed online, with survey

sections focusing on general tv-watching behavior, binge-watching-specific behavior,

and binge-watching motivations. The results of the study found that by the ‘standard’

definition of binge-watching (2 or more episode in one sitting), 75.8% of sampled

students were binge-watchers. The majority (91.9%) binged through online streaming

services (Netflix, Hulu, etc.). The results suggested that streaming services may be a

catalyst for binge-watching. The most interesting finding was that the number of

episodes watching in one sitting was strongly correlated to both the frequency of binge-

watching and the program engagement associated with the binge. Of the seven

motivational factors included in the best-fit model (social interaction, entertainment,

passing time, relaxation, escape, information, and habit), only entertainment was found

to motivate binge-watching in general. However, with the expanded definition that

differentiates between ‘light’ and ‘heavy’ binge watchers, entertainment was found to

motivate light binge-watchers, while both entertainment and passing time motivated

heavy binge-watchers.
 Similar questions and results can be found in Sprinting a media marathon: Uses

and gratifications of binge-watching television through Netflix, published in 2015 by

Pittman & Sheehan. Their study too focused on the motivations to binge-watch, while

also looking specifically for the motivating factors for planning to binge-watch ahead of

time and heavy binge-watching. To gather data, they utilized Snowball Sampling of

social media through focused posts and surveys. They found that program engagement

and relaxation were the strongest motivators, with passing time and hedonism to be

lesser indicators of binge-watching. Program engagement was found to correlate

positively to the frequency of binge-watching. Likewise, program engagement,

hedonism, and social aspects of watching were found to motivate planning to binge-

watch ahead of time. Watching an entire season in a day (extreme binge-watching) was

found to be motivated by program engagement and hedonism.

Exelmans & Bulck published a study in 2017 concerning the relation between

binge-watching and sleep. They studied the effect of binge-watching on sleep and how

pre-sleep arousal acted as a mediator between the two. Their data was collected

through an online survey of “emerging adults” (ages 18-25) with a sample size of 423

individuals. The results of their study concluded that binge-watchers had more fatigue

and lower sleep quality than the average. They also found that the frequency of binge-

watching, rather than length of the binge, was correlated positively with all sleep

indicators (a greater frequency of binge-watching resulted in higher fatigue, higher

insomnia, and lower sleep quality). Binge-watching, especially the frequency of binge-

watching, and sleep were found to be fully mediated by cognitive pre-sleep arousal.
 Sussman & Moran delved into the realm of TV addiction in their published 2013

paper Hidden addiction: Television. In their paper, they examined past TV addiction

research to summarize the qualification of television addiction as an addiction, causes

of television addiction, and possible prevention and treatment methods. They also

looked at the positive and negative effects of television addiction. To accomplish this,

they utilized a literature of review of relevant research. Their paper was based on the

findings and analysis of 33 published articles. What they found was that television

addiction was correlated with the presence of other addictions (alcohol, caffeine,

cigarettes, chocolate, exercise, gambling, and internet). The most common addictions

found were exercise, caffeine, television, and alcohol. They found that television

addiction not only impaired daily functioning for addicts, but fit many DSM-5 criteria to

qualify as an addiction, in fact meeting many of the same criteria as substance abuse.

Television addiction was found to be caused in some part by anxiety, a need for

distraction from unpleasant thoughts, and being easily bored/distracted. Television

addiction was found to satisfy one’s hedonic needs, and possibly used to compensate

for a scarcity or low quality of interpersonal interactions.

As most of the above studies pulled their sample populations from the internet,

internet addiction has been correlated with television addiction, and most binge-

watching/television consumption now occurs through online streaming services, I found

it pertinent to also take knowledge from Morahan-Martin & Schumacher’s Loneliness

and social uses of the Internet, published in 2003. In their study, they compared lonely

people to non-lonely people and how internet use affected the social interaction of both

groups. They surveyed 277 college students enrolled in courses that required internet
usage. They found that lonely people spent more time online, preferred online

interaction to face-to-face interaction, felt more themselves online, and also pretended

to be someone else. Lonely people were found to use the internet to relax, meet people,

for emotional support, and to pass time. The study also found that lonely people used

the internet to modulate their moods; they went online when they felt anxious, down, or

isolated. They also found lonely people showed signs of internet addiction, specifically

that they experienced major life disruptions, experienced guilt over amount of internet

usage, lost sleep, missed social engagements, missed work, were unable to cut down

on their internet usage, had their thoughts preoccupied with using the internet, and hid

these behaviors from others.

Summary of Themes

The first thing of note is the evidence that binge-watching is self-

perpetuating. The engagement one feels from a show pushes one to binge-watch the

show more frequently (Pittman & Sheehan, 2015). The more episodes of the show that

are binge-watched, the more frequently one binge-watches the show and the more

engagement one feels for the show (Sung, Kang, & Lee, 2018). Exacerbating this

process is the awareness of producers of binge-watching its motivators. Aware that

viewers are binge-watching, producers may feel that they can increase the narrative

complexity of shows while also increasing viewer engagement with the show (Pittman &

Sheehan, 2015). A more complex narrative is also more entertaining, and would require

more free time to watch, process, and understand. Both entertainment and passing time

are major motivating factors, especially with heavy binge-watchers. Complicating this

self-perpetuating process are the compulsive and addictive qualities of binge-watching,

such as being unable to self-limit time spent binging, urges to continue binging, need for

an increase in time spent watching to achieve the same emotional effects, binging for a

longer period than intended, persistent desire to binge, and significant efforts made to

continue or recover from binge-watching (Sussman & Moran, 2013). There are also

mental and physical drawbacks from binge-watching, such as insomnia, fatigue, lower

sleep quality, increased aggression and fear of victimization, obesity, lower

cardiorespiratory fitness, and poorer body image (Sussman & Moran, 2013; Exelmans &

Bulck, 2017). When it comes to etiology of binge-watching, a main factor is the same

factor for many addictions: hedonism, or the want to feel pleasure and fulfill hedonic

needs (the need to feel good). Evidence also shows that binge-watching is caused by

some desire to be social, with binge-watching acting to compensate for a scarcity or low

quality of interpersonal interactions and relationships. Anxiety, the need for distraction

from unpleasant thoughts, and being easily bored are also driving forces behind binge-

watching (Sussman & Moran, 2013). With the method samples and surveys for many of

these studies existing online, along with the correlation of addictions, online streaming

services as the main venue for binge-watching, and overlap of motivators, one can draw

parallels between the causes and usage of both the internet and binge-watching,

primarily that loneliness and an escape from the self are also causes, and that a major

purpose for usage is modulation and regulation of mood and arousal (Morahan-Martin &

Schumacher, 2003; Sussman & Moran, 2013)

Practical Implications

What we can draw from the ideas presented in these articles is firstly a

confirmation of long-standing communication theories such as Cultivation Theory and

Priming Theory. As stated, binge-watching and television addiction can cause addicts

and binge-watchers to be more aggressive and feel a greater threat of victimization,

things which are direct claims of Priming Theory and Cultivation Theory respectively.

What is most important to note, however, is what the prevalence, causes, and effects of

binge-watching imply about, at the least, the issues facing college-aged adults and, at

the most, our society as a whole. It is obvious that some social, mental, or pleasurable

aspect of life is missing in binge-watchers, and following the nature of addiction the

solution is the “quick fix”, which in the situation of binge-watching happens to be hours

of back-to-back television. With binge-watching and television addictions often regarded

as benign and mostly harmless, it is easy for binge-watchers and others to be

convinced that binge-watching is completely fulfilling, when in actuality it is ‘faux-filling’.

Binge-watching in moderation, or ‘light’ binge-watching, can help us to feel connected to

others who have watched the same shows, as well as helping us to feel entertained,

content, and pleased. But binge-watching, as a self-perpetuating process, is easy to

abuse, and the same aspect that had a positive effect in moderation can quickly

become a detriment to daily functioning in excess. In this way, binge-watching is a self-

imposed policy of bread and circuses: something that seems harmless and even

helpful, but becomes a distraction and diversion from larger concerns when indulged

freely. On an individual level, the implication of this information is simple: self-

awareness and self-discipline can help support a balanced and well-rounded life, and

instead of utilizing the easiest and fastest satisfaction of desires and needs (faux-

fillment), one should pursue deeper, longer lasting ways to satisfy their needs and

desires. On a societal level, the implication is more difficult. Television addiction and
binge-watching, especially heavy binge-watching, should be taken more seriously as a

compulsion with the ability to negatively impact lives the same way any addiction can. In

addition, television channels and online streaming services could feature banners or

messages discouraging binge-watching and promoting a healthy balance of activities.

Barriers to these actions are the public view of binge-watching as being benign and a

freedom of the viewer, the financial incentive of content producers, advertisers,

television channels, and online streaming services to encourage binge-watching, and

the fast pace at which technology (and thus the medium through which content is binge-

watched and available) is advancing.

Conclusion

Binge-watching is a self-perpetuating process that fits the criteria of addiction at

worst and acts a quick fix for satisfaction and fulfillment at the best. It has the potential

to negatively affect physical and mental health as well as disrupt one’s daily functioning.

There are positives to binge-watching, but like alcohol it must be used responsibly and

with moderation. Data for these trends is only existent for the current generation of

college aged adults (18-25), but it is possible that binge-watching is a problem for

multiple generations and age demographics. There are steps that can be taken to

increase awareness of the severity of binge-watching, but these are hampered by public

opinion and financial incentive.

References

Exelmans, L., & Bulck, J. V. (2017). Binge Viewing, Sleep, and the Role of Pre-Sleep
Arousal. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 13(08), 1001-1008. doi:10.5664/jcsm.6704

Morahan-Martin, J., & Schumacher, P. (2003). Loneliness and social uses of the
Internet. Computers in Human Behavior, 19(6), 659-671. doi:10.1016/s0747-
5632(03)00040-2
Pittman, M., & Sheehan, K. (2015). Sprinting a media marathon: Uses and gratifications
of binge-watching television through Netflix. First Monday, 20(10).
doi:10.5210/fm.v20i10.6138

*Sung, Y. H., Kang, E. Y., & Lee, W. (2018). Why Do We Indulge? Exploring
Motivations for Binge Watching. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 62(3), 408-
426. doi:10.1080/08838151.2018.1451851

Sussman, S., & Moran, M. B. (2013). Hidden addiction: Television. Journal of

Behavioral Addictions, 2(3), 125-132. doi:10.1556/jba.2.2013.008

Appendices

Exelmans & Bulck, 2017:

To investigate the prevalence of binge viewing, its association with sleep and

examine arousal as an underlying mechanism of this association. Four hundred twenty-

three adults (aged 18–25 years old, 61.9% female) completed an online survey

assessing regular television viewing, binge viewing, sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep

Quality Index), fatigue (Fatigue Assessment Scale), insomnia (Bergen Insomnia Scale),

and pre-sleep arousal (Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale). Regression analyses were conducted.

Mediation analysis was performed using PROCESS Macro. There were 80.6% who

identified themselves as a binge viewer. Among those who binge viewed (n = 341),

20.2% had binge viewed at least a few times a week during the past month. Among

poor sleepers (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index > 5), 32.6% had a poor sleep quality

associated with being a binge viewer. Higher binge viewing frequency was associated

with a poorer sleep quality, increased fatigue and more symptoms of insomnia, whereas

regular television viewing was not. Cognitive pre-sleep arousal fully mediated these

relationships. New viewing styles such as binge viewing are increasingly prevalent and
may pose a threat to sleep. Increased cognitive arousal functions as the mechanism

explaining these effects. Measures of media exposure should take into account the

user's level of engagement with media. Interventions aimed at (1) alerting viewers about

excessive viewing duration and (2) reducing arousal before sleep may be useful ways to

tackle sleep problems in binge viewers.

Morahan-Martin & Schumacher, 2003:

Loneliness has been associated with increased Internet use. Lonely individuals

may be drawn online because of the increased potential for companionship, the

changed social interaction patterns online, and as a way to modulate negative moods

associated with loneliness. Online, social presence and intimacy levels can be

controlled; users can remain invisible as they observe others’ interactions, and can

control the amount and timing of their interactions. Anonymity and lack of face-to-face

communication online may decrease self-consciousness and social anxiety, which could

facilitate pro-social behavior and enhance online friendship formation. Support for this

model was found in a survey of 277 undergraduate Internet users that was used to

assess differences between lonely and not-lonely individuals in patterns of Internet use.

Loneliness was assessed on the UCLA Loneliness Scale; students in the highest 20%

(Lonely) were compared with all other students (Non-lonely). Lonely individuals used

the Internet and e-mail more and were more likely to use the Internet for emotional

support than others. Social behavior of lonely individuals consistently was enhanced

online, and lonely individuals were more likely to report making online friends and

heightened satisfaction with their online friends. The lonely were more likely to use the
Internet to modulate negative moods, and to report that their Internet use was causing

disturbances in their daily functioning.

Pittman & Sheehan, 2015:

“Binge-watching” represents a radical shift for twenty-first century media

consumption. Why do people select this method of television viewing? A survey

administered to 262 television binge-watchers identified factors that influence binge

watching, several of which are somewhat different than factors impacting other types of

television viewing. Factors salient for regular bingers are relaxation, engagement, and

hedonism. For those who plan ahead to binge, program quality (aesthetics) and the

communal aspect (social) also come into play. Those who binge on an entire series in

one or two days value engagement, relaxation, hedonism, and aesthetics. We also

discuss the theoretical implications and future development of uses and gratifications.

Sung, Kang, & Lee, 2018:

This study explored an expanded definition and motivations for binge-watching

behavior. In addition to the number of episodes, the amount of time,

frequency, and engagement in binge-watched programs were considered for

the binge-watching definition. Study findings revealed that over half of the

respondents of this study were light binge viewers. In addition, among a total

of seven motivations identified in literature, only the entertainment motivation

is a significant predictor of binge watching for those with a low level of binge

watching, while both passing time and entertainment were found to be significant

predictors for those with a high level of binge watching.

Sussman & Moran, 2013:

The most popular recreational pastime in the U.S. is television viewing. Some

researchers

have claimed that television may be addictive. We provide a review of the definition,

etiology, prevention and treatment

of the apparent phenomenon of television addiction. Methods: Selective review.

Results: We provide a description

of television (TV) addiction, including its negative consequences, assessment and

potential etiology, considering

neurobiological, cognitive and social/cultural factors. Next, we provide information on its

prevention and treatment.

Discussion and conclusions: We suggest that television addiction may function similarly

to substance abuse

disorders but a great deal more research is needed.