From UrbanDictionary.com

“A pattern of irrational

behaviors and reactions

to everyday problems.”

MEAN GIRLS & RELATIONAL AGGRESSION

•  “The norm is mean and the deviant is violent” (Ringrose, 2006)

•  Replacing the ‘vulnerable girl’ of the past

•  Psychological Bullying – manipulation of social standing Humiliation

Exclusion

Coercion

GOSSIP

•  Verbal & Physical Aggression

•  Histrio = Roman actor

•  Emotional management

•  Histrionic self-presentation

•  Need for external validation

•  “Performative identity vernacular” (Sedgwick, 2003)

Histrionic Personality Disorder •  Rapidly shifting and shallow expressions

•  Physical appearance draws attention

•  Inappropriate seductive behavior

•  Exaggerated expression of emotion (theatricality)

•  Perceives relationships more intimately

•  Easily influenced

HISTRIONOMY

SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

•  Meanings created through interactions (Herbert Blumer, 1937)

•  Meaning = behavioral, ≠ cognitive

Goffman’s Dramaturgy Everyday acting

Impression management

Roles

Regions

DRAMATIZATION Symbol formation (Freud, 1916)

Education •  Knowledge permanency Mass Communication •  “Mass media interaction” (Altheide, 2003)

•  TV viewing ~44 hours per week (Nielsen, 2010)

•  Reality TV – Sensationalizing, conflict imposing •  LEARNING!

DOCUMENTING DRAMA

Theoretical Setting •  Social Learning Theory (Bandura, 1962)

•  Cultivation Theory (Gerbner, 1969)

Methods •  Focus Groups (3)

•  Viewing Jersey Shore, The Real World: New Orleans, The Real Housewives of Atlanta

THEMES

Acceptance Modeling Gender Divide Shame Business Model Humor Awareness

CONCLUSIONS

•  RTV ➔ high levels of identification •  High ID ➔ more tendency to model and accept •  3rd person effect: Common in peers, not in self (rare) •  Women’s behavior seen as more problematic than men’s •  Lasting effects positive or negative?

Histrionic Interaction is present in this generation of young adults