The Intention of Escapism on Binge-Watching Among Penangites
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32890/jcisc2023.2.1Keywords:
Binge-Watching, Escapism, Intention, Penangites, Uses and GratificationAbstract
In this advanced society, people are inseparable from technology. Smartphones, tablets, computers, TVS have all become necessities for modern people. The way we use media has recently changed dramatically. The purpose of this research is to study the intention of escapism on binge-watching among Penangites. Video on demand allows viewers to watch anytime and anywhere because of modern technology breakthroughs. More and more viewers are choosing to enjoy the video by subscribing to streaming services or online rather than on conventional broadcast networks. The rise of binge-watching is a result of technological advancement which has resulted in a shift away from routine programming and towards more flexible viewership. Despite the fact that there are severalresearchers who have performed in diverse contexts, only a few studies have focused on the intention of binge-watching among Malaysians, particularly Penangites. This conceptual study examines previous research and aims to study the intention of escapism binge-watching among Penangites. There were 200 respondents from Penang using the Raosoft sample size calculator and they were given online survey questionnaires as part of a quantitative research project. The acquired data were then examined in SPSS to determine the correlations (Pearson's coefficient) and reliability (Cronbach's Alpha). The result of the study indicates that most of the respondents show a positive view of the factor of escapism affecting their desire to binge-watch. It can be seen that the majority of the respondents agree that binge-watching may help them to escape from everyday life, seek relief from the unpleasant reality of everyday life, help them to temporarily get away from the grind, immerse themselves in the unreal world as well as give them more pleasure than other activities. Other than that, this research may help in showing that new advancements in media entertainment and the ensuing alterations in usage patterns bring opportunities as well as obstacles to media consumers. In addition, it may also help in future research to gain a deeper understanding of binge-watching as a novel form of media enjoyment as well as fresh perspectives on the intricate relationship between well-being and media use in general.
References
Bhandari, P. (2020, January 16). What is quantitative research? Definition, uses & methods. Scribbr.https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/quantitative-research/#:~:text=Quantitative%20research%20is%20the%20process,generalize%20res ults%20to%20wider%20populations.
Boynton, P. M., & Greenhalgh, T. (2004). Selecting, designing, and developing your questionnaire. The BMJ, 328, 1312-1315. https://doi: 10.1136/bmj.328.7451.1312.
Buschmeyer, O. (2020). The Relationship between Binge-watching and Perceived stress: An Experience Sampling Study. University of Twente.
Cabral, D., Castro, D., Rigby, J. M., Vasanth, H., Cameirão, M. S., & Nisi, V. (2020). To Binge or not to Binge: Viewers’ moods and behaviors during the consumption of subscribed video streaming. International Conference on Entertainment Computing, 12523, 369-381. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65736-9_33.
Camilleri, M. A., & Falzon, L. (2020). Understanding motivations to use online streaming services: Integrating the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT). Spanish Journal of Marketing - ESIC. https://doi/10.1108/SJME-04-2020-0074/full/html.
Castro, D., Rigby, J. M., Cabral, D., & Nisi, V. (2021). The binge-watcher’s journey: Investigating motivations, contexts, and affective states surrounding Netflix viewing. Convergence, 27(1), 3–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856519890856.
Chaudhary, N. (2014, November 6). The TV binge: A sickness. The Stanford Daily. https://stanforddaily.com/2014/11/06/the-tv-binge-a-sickness/. https://doi.org/10.58915/jcsi.v5i2.1096
Dickinson, K. (2014). Confessions of the Millennial Binge-viewer: An Examination of the TV show Binge-viewing Phenomenon. California State University, Fullerton.
Etikan, I., Musa, S. A., & Alkassim, R. S. (2016). Comparison of convenience sampling and purposive sampling. American journal of theoretical and applied statistics, 5(1), 1-4.
Flayelle, M., Canale, N., Vögele, C., Karila, L., Maurage, P., & Billieux, J. (2019). Assessing binge-watching behaviors: Development and validation of the “Watching TV series motives” and “binge-watching engagement and symptoms” questionnaires. Computers in Human Behaviour, 90, 26–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.08.022.
Gogtay, N. J., & Thatte, U. M. (2017). Principles of correlation analysis. Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, 65(3), 78-81.
Golafshani, N. (2003). Understanding Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research. TheQualitative Report, 8(4), 597-606.
Granow, V. C., Reinecke, L., & Ziegele, M. (2018). Binge Watching and Psychological Well-Being: Media Use between Lack of Control and Perceived Autonomy. Communication Research Reports, 35:5, 392-401, https://doi.org/10.1080/08824096.2018.1525347.
Greenberg, B. S. (1974). Gratifications of television viewing and their correlates for British children. In J. G. Blumler & E.Katz (Eds.), The uses of mass communications: Current perspectives on gratifications. 71–92. Sage.
Hagström, D., & Kaldo, V. (2014). Escapism among players of MMORPGs—conceptual clarification, its relation to mental health factors, and development of a new measure. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(1), 19–25. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2012.0222.
Halfmann, A., & Reinecke, L. (2021). Binge-watching as a case of escapist entertainment use. The Oxford handbook of entertainment theory, 181-203.
Hawkins, R. P., Pingree, S., Hitchon, J., Gorham, B. W., Kannaovakun, P., Gilligan, E., Radler, B., Kolbeins, G. & Schmidt, T. (2001). Predicting selection and activity in television genre viewing. Media Psychology, 3(3), 237-263. https://doi.org/10.1207/S1532785XMEP0303_
Heatherton, T. F., & Baumeister, R. F. (1991). Binge eating as escape from self-awareness. Psychological Bulletin, 110(1), 86-108. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.110.1.86
Iyer, K. P., Nishkala, G., Priyankha, V., & Srilalitha, R. (2019). Analysing Binge-Watching Behaviour Using Data Mining Techniques. Think India Journal, 22(10), 2571-2581.
Jenner, M. (2020). Researching binge-watching. Critical Studies in Television: The International. Journal of Television Studies. 15(3), 267-279. https://doi.org/10.1177/174960202093501.
Joswiak, E. (2022, December 8). Best ways to improve your binge-watching experience. The Florida Villager - Your Community Lifestyle Magazine. https://thefloridavillager.com/2020/02/04/best-ways-to-improve-your-binge-watching-experience/.
Kaczmarek, L. D., & Drążkowski, D. (2014). MMORPG escapism predicts decreased wellbeing: Examination of gaming time, game realism beliefs, and online social support for offline problems. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17(5), 298-302. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2013.0595.
Karim, M. W., Haque, A., Ulfy, M. A., Hossain, M. A., & Anis, M. Z. (2020). Factors influencing the use of E-wallet as a payment method among Malaysian young adults. Journal of International Business and Management, 3(2), 1-12. https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5367671.
Katz, E., & Foulkes, D. (1962). On the use of the mass media as “escape”: Clarification of a concept. Public Opinion Quarterly, 26(3), 377-388 https://doi.org/10.1086/267111
Katz, E., Blumler, J. G., & Gurevitch, M. (1973). Uses and gratifications research. The Public Opinion Quarterly, 37(4), 509–523.
Klimmt, C. (2008). Escapism. In W. Donsbach (Ed.), The International Encyclopedia of Communication. 4, 1564-1566. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781405186407.wbiece033Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Kubey, R. & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2002). Television Addiction, Scientific American, 286 (2). 74-81.
Matrix, S. (2014). The Netflix effect: Teens, binge-watching, and on-demand digital media trends. Jeunesse: Young People, Texts, Cultures, 6(1), 119–138. https://doi.org/10.3138/jeunesse.6.1.119
McQuail, D. (2010). McQuail's mass communication theory. Sage publications.
Meier, A., Meltzer, C. E., & Reinecke, L. (2018). Coping with stress or losing control? Facebook-induced strains among emerging adults as a consequence of escapism versus procrastination. In book: Youth and Media: Current Perspectives on Media Use and Effects. https://doi.org/10.5771/9783845280455-167.
Menon, D. (2022). Purchase and continuation intentions of over-the-top (OTT) video streaming platform subscriptions: a uses and gratification theory perspective. Telematics and Informatics Reports, 5, 100006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teler.2022.100006.
Merikivi, J., Bragge, J., Scornavacca, E. & Verhagen, T. (2020), “Binge-watching serialized video content: a transdisciplinary review”. Television and New Media, 21(7), 697-711.
Merill Jr, K., & Rubenking, B. (2019). Go long or go often: Influences on binge watching frequency and duration among college students. Social Sciences, 8(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci8010010
Middleton, F. (2022, December 19). Reliability vs. validity in research: Difference, types and examples. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/reliability-vs-validity/.
Mikos, L. (2016). Digital Media Platforms and the Use of TV Content: Binge Watching and Video-on-Demand in Germany. Media and Communication, 4(3), 154-161. https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v4i3.542.
Moore, A. E. (2015). Binge watching: Exploring the relationship of binge watched television genres and colleges at Clemson University. Graduate Research and Discovery Symposium (GRADS). 138. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/grads_symposium/138
Nikou, S.A. & Economides, A.A. (2017). Mobile-based assessment: integrating acceptance and motivational factors into a combined model of self-determination theory and technology acceptance. Computers in Human Behavior, 68, 83-95.
Oberschmidt, K. (2017). The relationship between binge-watching, compensatory health beliefs, and sleep. Bachelor's thesis. University of Twente.
Orosz, G., Bőthe, B., & Toth-Kiraly, I. (2016). The development of the problematic series Watching Scale (PSWS). Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 5(1), 144-150. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.5.2016.
Panda, S., & Pandey, S. C. (2017). Binge watching and college students: Motivations and outcomes. Young Consumers Insight and Ideas for Responsible Marketers, 18(2), 00-00https://doi.org/10.1108/YC-07-2017-00707.
Pena, L. L. (2015). Breaking binge: Exploring the effects of binge watching on television viewer reception. Syracuse University. (Unpublished).
Pierce-Grove, R. (2016). Just one more: How journalists frame binge watching. First Monday, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v22i1.7269
Pittman, M., & Sheehan, K. (2015). Sprinting a media marathon: Uses and gratifications of binge-watching television through Netflix. First Monday, 20(10). http://dx.doi.org/10.5210/fm.v20i10.6138
Rahman, K. T., & Arif, M. Z. U. (2021). Impacts of binge-watching on netflix during the COVID-19 pandemic. South Asian Journal of Marketing, 2(1), 97-112. https://doi.org/10.1108/SAJM-05-2021-0070.
Ramayan, S., Estella, A. L. M., & Bakar, I. A. A. (2018). The effects of binge watching on interpersonal communication among Department of Communication and Liberal Arts (DCLA) students. Idealogy Journal of Arts and Social Science, 3(3), 127-143.
Rawat, A. S. (2021, March 30). An Overview of Descriptive Analysis. https://www.analyticssteps.com/blogs/overview-descriptive-analysis.
Ray, A., Dhir, A., Bala, P.K. & Kaur, P. (2019), Why do people use food delivery apps (FDA)? A uses and gratification theory perspective. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 51(C), 221-230.
Rubenking, B., Bracken, C. C., Sandoval, J., & Rister, A. (2018). Defining new viewing behaviours: What makes and motivates TV binge-watching?. International Journal of Digital Television, 9(1), 69-85.
Rubin, A. M. (1983). Television uses and gratifications: The interactions of viewing patterns and motivations. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 27(1), 37-51.
Rubin, A. M. (1984). Ritualized and instrumental television viewing. Journal of Communication, 34(3), 67-77.
Rubin, A. M. (2020). Uses-and-gratifications perspective on media effects. In Oliver, M.B., Raney, A.A., & Brynat, J. Media effects: Advances in Theory and Research. (4 ed., pp. 181-200). Routledge.
Samsudin, S. U. B. (2022). Binge-Watching of Netflix Cultivates Deficit in Interpersonal Communication Level among Young Adults in Malaysia.
Starosta, J. A., Izydorczyk, B., & Wontorczyk, A. (2021). Anxiety-depressive syndrome and binge-watching among young adults. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 689944.
Steiner, E., & Xu, K. (2020). Binge-watching motivates change: Uses and gratifications of streaming video viewers challenge traditional TV research. Convergence, 26(1), 82–101. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354856517750365.
Stenseng, F., Rise, J., & Kraft, P. (2012). Activity engagement as escape from self: The role of self-suppression and self-expansion. Leisure Sciences, 34(1), 19–38. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2012.633849.
Susanno, R., Phedra, R., & Murwani, I. A. (2019). The determinant factors of the intention to spend more time binge-watching for Netflix Subscriber in Jakarta. Journal of Research in Marketing. 10(3). 807-812. https://doi.org/10.1086/268109
Tefertiller, A.C., & Maxwell, L. C. (2018). Depression, emotional states, and the experience of binge-watching narrative television, Atlantic Journal of Communication, 26(5), 278-290, https://doi.org/10.1080/15456870.2018.1517765.
Vaterlaus, J. M., Spruance, L. A., Frantz, K., & Kruger, J. S. (2018). College student television binge watching: Conceptualization, gratifications, and perceived consequences. The Social Science Journal, 56(4), 470-479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soscij.2018.10.004.
Vincent, R. C., & Basil, M. D. (1997). College students’ news gratifications, media use, and current events knowledge. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 41(3), 380–392.
Wagner, C. N. (2016, May 31). "Glued to the Sofa": Exploring Guilt and Television Binge-Watching Behaviors. Communication Honors Theses. 11. http://digitalcommons.trinity.edu/comm_honors/11.
Walton-Pattison E., Dombrowski S.U., & Presseau J. (2018) ‘Just one more episode’: Frequency and theoretical correlates of television binge watching. Journal of Health Psychology. 23(1):17-24. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105316643379.
Vaterlaus, J. M., Spruance, L. A., Frantz, K., & Kruger, J. S. (2018). College student television binge watching: Conceptualization, gratifications, and perceived consequences. The Social Science Journal, 56(4), 470-479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soscij.2018.10.004.
Vincent, R. C., & Basil, M. D. (1997). College students’ news gratifications, media use, and current events knowledge. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 41(3), 380–392.
Wagner, C. N. (2016, May 31). "Glued to the Sofa": Exploring Guilt and Television Binge-Watching Behaviors. Communication Honors Theses. 11. http://digitalcommons.trinity.edu/comm_honors/11.
Walton-Pattison E., Dombrowski S.U., & Presseau J. (2018) ‘Just one more episode’: Frequency and theoretical correlates of television binge watching. Journal of Health Psychology. 23(1):17-24. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105316643379.
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Creative Industry and Sustainable Culture
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
Research impact
Harvested 2026-09-08Counts differ between services because each indexes a different body of literature. None of them is the whole picture.
