# People often connect reality TV with irritability and aggression

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/culture/people-often-connect-reality-tv-with-irritability-and-aggression/

> Indexed question in Culture.

## Reading

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

How much does watching reality TV increase a person's irritability and aggression in interpersonal communication?

78% of Americans say reality TV increases irritability and aggression at least somewhat.

- Somewhat: 46.5%
- Moderately: 23.6%
- Not at all: 21.6%
- Severely: 8.3%

## 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: 2026-05-11 → 2026-05-11
- 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

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-1.4](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-1.4)

## Citation

Verasight SPSP Omnibus Survey #2026-045, fielded May 11-11, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-1.4](https://reports.verasight.io/r/spsp26#q-1.4)