People often connect reality TV with irritability and aggression
Core finding
In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted May 11, 2026, 78% of Americans said watching reality TV increases a person's irritability and aggression at least somewhat.
That includes 47% who said somewhat, 24% who said moderately, and 8% who said severely. About one in five said reality TV does not increase irritability and aggression at all (22%).
Topline distribution
78% of Americans say reality TV increases irritability and aggression at least somewhat.
How much does watching reality TV increase a person's irritability and aggression in interpersonal communication?
n = 1,000 · May 11, 2026 · MoE ±3.3%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | May 11, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.3% |
| Module | beliefs |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26
How much does watching reality TV increase a person's irritability and aggression in interpersonal communication?
Cite this question
Verasight SPSP Omnibus Survey #2026-045, fielded May 11-11, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.