>> Support materials: Chapter 2


Chapter 2: Sociological foundations

 

Case studies Video clips Weblinks Further reading Podcasts
Case studies Video clips Weblinks Further reading Podcasts

 

Case study

Survival of the fittest: MasterChef, Big Brother, Australian Idol, Survivor, The Apprentice…

Many of the early sociologists were concerned with explaining ‘social progress’ or predicting ‘social evolution’. One such sociologist was Englishman Herbert Spencer (1820–1903), who coined the term ‘survival of the fittest’. Spencer’s views (known as social Darwinism) transformed the Darwinian theory of natural selection to one that applied to human societies and to individuals. Spencer’s views were applauded by the industrialists of the nineteenth century who maintained that the growth of their business empires was an example of ‘survival of the fittest’, whereby the allegedly smartest and hardest working individuals were successful (Kendall 2004). Later sociologists were to critique such views as overly simplistic and as tending to ignore the role that existing wealth, power, social values, and social structures play in facilitating the success of some and hindering that of others (particularly women, the working class, and minority groups).

Yet, social Darwinist ideas remain commonplace, and are often the basis of reality television shows (Kendall 2004), which are based on the notion of the survival of the fittest. For example, TV shows such as MasterChef, Survivor, and The Apprentice, are all premised on the objective of participants competing against one another to avoid elimination. In some cases, contestants vote for the eviction of one another; in others it is determined by the outcomes of contests; and in some programs the television audience plays an interactive role in voting to evict a person via phone calls or text messages. The winner usually receives a generous prize.

Reference
Kendall, D. 2004, Sociology in Our Times, 4th edn, Wadsworth/Thomson Learning Belmont, California.

Discussion questions

  1. To what extent do reality TV shows like MasterChef, Survivor, and The Apprentice provide support for social Darwinist views of the survival of the fittest? In what ways do reality TV shows obscure or manipulate ‘reality’?
  2. What other television shows would you consider to be examples of the survival of the fittest? Why?
  3. To what extent can reality TV shows perform positive functions? Give examples in your answer.
  4. Can you think of other examples of social Darwinism in everyday life?
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