Binge-watching is the characteristic of the digital era. The former weekend movie marathon has become a daily routine to millions of people. Watching a season of television shows at the same time is almost a natural experience with the emergence of streaming service and on-demand entertainment. But just what is happening in our brains when we binge-watch? And why are we so difficult to quit when we begin?
The Dopamine Rush: Our Dopamine Payoff.
When we press the next episode button, our brain also releases dopamine which is the chemical that causes pleasure and reward. This neurotransmitter provides us with a feeling of fulfilment and expectation, and makes us feel good. Their cliffhangers at the end of episodes are enormous in their own right, as we are left wanting to know and the need to know makes us continue watching.
This psychology has been mastered by streaming platforms. Their design creates shows whose endings are full of suspense, full of emotional episodes and the next episode is directly available and all these make the dopamine loop stronger. The result? We can be surprised and even not notice how many hours have passed.
Escapism: Moving out of the Reality.
Escape is another significant cause of binge-watching. Life nowadays may be hectic, unpredictable and excessive. By watching a riveting show, we can get out of this world and be in another world where we can control everything we watch and experience. It is a psychological leave off work, duties and other day to day problems.
Be it a fantasy kingdom, a romance drama or a real-life crime mystery, all the shows offer an emotional relief and a moment of distance in some way. This is why after a hard day a lot of people go to streaming, it is a comfort on demand.
The Strength of the Storytelling and Character Attaching.
Humans are wired for stories. Since the myths of the ancient world, through cinema, storytelling has been one of the methods through which we can emotionally and intellectually relate. Binge-watching appeals to this primitive bond.
We get deep emotional attachments to characters when we watch several episodes of a series. We laugh, we weep and even sympathize with them. This emotional involvement keeps us entertained. We are not only curious about what will happen next, but we must know because we are interested in the people on screen as though they were a part of our lives.
FOMO: The Fear of Missing Out
In our present globalized society, trends of talk shows are immediately broadcasted on social networks. Memes to spoilers, all the people appear to be discussing the recent episodes. This is a social phenomenon that forms FOMO: the fear of missing out.
It is not only that we binge-watch to have fun but also so as to remain a part of the cultural discourse. Not watching a hit program may be akin to being excluded in a common thing to do. What streaming sites are banking on is the buzz worthy content that takes over weeks of online conversations.
The Illusion of Control
Ironically, when binge-watching, it may seem that one loses the sense of time but it also makes one feel in control. In comparison to the traditional TV schedules where people are forced with what to watch, when to watch and how much to watch, streaming leaves the power to the viewers to choose what to watch, when to watch and how much to watch. This independence is fulfilling in an age where there are so many things in life that are not controllable.
This perceived power also diminishes stress and makes it more comfortable, strengthening the habit psychologically. Nonetheless, it may also erase the borders between entertainment and excess which can result in late nights and exhaustion.
The Instant Gratification and role of technology.
The streaming platforms are not designed in vain. Further on, auto-play, recommendations tailored to a specific user, and the minimum time to load are all designed to reduce resistance and increase the amount of engagement. The human brain is in need of immediate satisfaction – and the online world provides it flawlessly.
We are no longer forced to wait a week to get the next episode instead of being able to watch an entire story arc in one sitting. This not only fulfills our urgent need to have an end but also conditions our brains to believe that we will get the desired outcome in other aspects of life immediately, which is one of the characteristics of our digital addiction.
The Binge-Watching Emotional Cycle.
Curiously enough, binge-watching does not necessarily make people feel happy. It is usual that many viewers feel a combination of feelings after a series finishes; satisfaction, emptiness, or even sadness. This depression that follows a series of interaction with a fictional world is what psychologists refer to as post series depression.
It is a cycle of emotions that normally compels individuals to go into a new cycle of Emotions, thus creating a cycle again. It is the role of the brain to fill the gap left after the completion of a story, this is why binge-watching is the habit that can be repeated.
The emergence of binge-watching is a wider change in culture. Entertainment is not a planned affair anymore, it is available at any time. This is an indication of our culture of on-demand whereby the culture of patience is worthless.
Striking a Balance in a Streaming World.
Although binge-watching may be enjoyable and even a healthy activity in small portions, binge-watching when overused may impact sleep, work efficiency, and social life. Professionals advise putting limits on it, like having a certain number of episodes per session or having certain watch-time.
You should also remain conscious of the reason you watch. Do you truly like what you are listening to, or are you just listening to it as a way of way to escape stress or loneliness? Such identification is used to bring about a balance between dependency and relaxation.
The Cultural Transformation towards Consumption as a Permanent Process.
The emergence of binge-watching is a wider change in culture. Entertainment is not a planned affair anymore, it is available at any time. This is an indication of our culture of on-demand whereby the culture of patience is worthless.
The change has seen platforms like Cmovies exploit this opportunity by providing enormous collections of movies and shows that could attract different audiences who want to be entertained at any moment. This availability has changed the mode of our engagement with stories and has redefied the concept of entertainment as an ongoing process as opposed to a passive activity.
Conclusion
Binge-watching is not just an act of the present day, it is a symbol of our psychology, our technology, and our times. It nourishes our need to take pleasure, to connect with, to take control and redefines the way that we think and experience storytelling.
Knowing about the psychology of binge-watching will help us to enjoy the art of the contemporary mode of entertainment and will also make us aware of our viewing patterns. And the point is, is that really going to enjoy a great show should add to our lives – not eat them.
