Monique Mulima

Monique Mulima

Monique Mulima is currently a fourth year student at Ryerson University. She is majoring in Professional Communication and minoring in Public Relations. Monique currently works at as Teaching Assistant in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at Ryerson. She has also previously worked in the fields of communications and marketing in the private, public and not-for-profit sector. During her degree, Monique has received a Renewable Ryerson Entrance Scholarship every year and has been on the Dean’s List every year. Monique will be graduating from Professional Communication in June 2020, and then pursuing her Master’s Degree in Political Communication.

Research

This research focuses on the difference in the television viewing experience alone versus in groups, and which people one people prefer and why. This study was conducted using a phenomenological qualitative approach. The methods used were preliminary multiple choice surveys to choose participants and then one-on-one semi-structured interviews with the three subjects about their television viewing habits. This research sought to further understand how being alone or in groups influenced what people watched, whether they watched actively or passively, how they watched television, and the overall experience. The participants from the study watched on average 10.5 hours of television a week and mostly streamed on Netflix through a laptop or a television. Shows that were watched actively and alone were shows that required more concentration, and were of greater interest to the participants. Shows that were watch passively were less serious shows in nature and were sometimes shows the participants had previously viewed. All of the participants mostly watched television shows alone and as a means of relaxation. Shows watched in groups were more focused on the social aspect and the shared ritual. The study also found that when choosing what to watch in groups two-thirds of participants usually had a group consensus which could sometimes take some time. When choosing what to shows to watch alone, participants usually relied on recommendations from streaming services based on what they had previously watched. All participants preferred to watch shows alone because they felt that they could focus better on the show, however they did acknowledge the social aspect missing from this. Overall, the research provided a better understanding of the phenomenons of viewing television alone and in groups.

Monique Mulima Research Poster

Project Tags

television, TV, viewing, shows
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