University Discussion: Exploring Causes and Effects of Binge-Watching

This discussion post explores the causes and motivations behind binge-watching behavior, examining factors such as cultural inclusion, relaxation, improved viewing experiences, and the influence of technology. The author discusses the dopamine release associated with binge-watching and differentiates between enjoying TV shows and becoming addicted. The post also identifies the lack of leisure time in modern life and the desire to escape daily pressures as contributing factors. Furthermore, the assignment includes a response to a classmate's post, which emphasizes the role of technology and streaming services in facilitating binge-watching habits. The student emphasizes the ease of access and the addictive nature of streaming platforms like Netflix, while also acknowledging the social and personal aspects of this behavior and the negative health impacts. The assignment fulfills the requirements of a cause-and-effect discussion, requiring a minimum word count and a response to a peer's post.

Running head: DISCUSSION
Discussion
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Authors Note :

1DISCUSSION
Response post
The main factor for the motivation in binge-watching is mainly cultural inclusion,
relaxation and the improved viewing experience has to lead to the binge-watching. I want to add
that binge watching begins as a social thing; however, it ultimately becomes a personal chore in
the individual engagement in terms of the activities alone. It is said that when we binge-watch
the brain continuously produce dopamine, and people experience a drug-like high (Walton-
Pattison, Dombrowski and Presseau 2018). I think watching TV shows, and web series is not
harmful; however, getting addicted to is. Pacing oneself to the viewing makes not only the
experience of watching more enjoyable, but it also has to lead to an increase in productivity in
other things.
Discussion
The practice of binge watching refers to the viewing of media content for long spans of
time at a go, popularized with the growth of various online media streaming applications like
Ntflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and the like. The practice of binge watching has become hugely
popular among the viewers, especially the young adults for various reasons.
The primary aspect that leads to binge watching among the viewers is that lack of time in
their daily lives. Increased competition in the daily lives of individuals does not allow them free
or leisure time to enage in the activities they are interested in throughout the day (Wagner 2016).
However, individuals manage to set aside a specific amount of leisure time mostly after
completing the responsibilities of their daily lives. Individuals interested in watching television
series often utilize this stretch of time to binge watch either one or multiple television seires,
with the intention of making the most of the time made available (Pena 2015). Therefore, in this

2DISCUSSION
regard, it can be said that binge watching provides the viewers or audience with the opportunitiy
f balancing their work and leisure time in a systematic manner.
Busy lifestyle is thus identified to be one of the major reasons behind audiences adopting
the practice of binge watching so as to make maximum utliation of the leisure time available to
them after their work hours. Binge watching provides the viewers with the opportunity to escape
from the pressures of their daily lives and relax doing something that they enjoy.

3DISCUSSION
References
Pena, L.L., 2015. Breaking binge: Exploring the effects of binge watching on television viewer
reception.
Wagner, C.N., 2016. " Glued to the Sofa": Exploring Guilt and Television Binge-Watching
Behaviors.
Walton-Pattison, E., Dombrowski, S.U. and Presseau, J., 2018. ‘Just one more episode’:
Frequency and theoretical correlates of television binge watching. Journal of health
psychology, 23(1), pp.17-24.