Happiness and TV
A new study by sociologists at the University of Maryland concludes that unhappy people watch more TV, while people who describe themselves as ‘very happy’ spend more time reading and socializing.
Researchers analyzed data spanning nearly 30 years and found that unhappy people watch an estimated 20 percent more television than very happy people, after taking into account their education, income, age, and marital status as well as other demographic predictors of both viewing and happiness.
On an unrelated note, a recent IBM study found that people are spending less time in front of the TV and more time on the Internet.
Sociologists have yet to determine whether Internet users are happy or unhappy.
Interesting article. It would also be interesting to understand viewing habits.
For example, I know I am UNHAPPY when sitting in front of a TV and forced to watch what is on as opposed to recorded content that is available at my whim, and tailored to what my mood is at that moment (i.e. In for a comedy or a mystery?)
Plus, as you point out, one has to wonder about the internet or video games. It was 3 or 4 years ago where the young demographic moved to the internet being their primary time consumer, overtaking TV.
That being said, I like TV … as long as it is recorded.