The Shark Tank Television - Case Study Example

ULTURАL STUDIЕS ЕSSАY Student’s name Course & code Professor’s name University City Date Introduction The studies around identity problems have resulted in understanding of various identity issues that are demonstrated by different individuals globally. Some of these include self-esteem, self-efficacy among others (Denler, Wolters & Benzon 2014). Self-efficacy can be defined from Albert Bandura’s perspective as one’s ability of organizing and executing given courses of action which are essential in managing prospective situations (Schwarzer 2014; Jennings & Henderson 2014). This definition points out that given different situations, one has to demonstrate the capability to succeed under such situations regardless of the adverse conditions. The research around the problem has been aided by the famous reality television show aired by ABC studios, the Shark Tank, which revolves around a number of rich entrepreneurs who are referred to as ‘Sharks’ who provide money and are involved in a deal with the participants who have the innovative and business ideas that require money to be realized (Ward 2015). Since, the participants have the ideas and the panel members have the money, the two parties end up becoming partners for a common goal. At most of the instances, the success of the participants to make deals with the panel members depends on how they demonstrate their ability to deal with unforeseen situations like rejection of their products in the market (Schwarzer 2014). The cast is comprised of Mark Cuban, Raymond John, Kevin O’Leary, Barbara Corcoran among others who are renown investors who are paid to be on the show but the money they invest and earn belong to them individually (Schwarzer 2014). This retrospect paper seeks to discuss the audience the show targets through discussing the central identity problem highlighted in the program besides demonstrating the ways in which the tensions and contradiction around the self-efficacy have been handled through the show by analyzing the theoretical and real life implications of the identity problem (Maslow 2015; Jennings & Henderson 2014). Literature review The Shark Tank television show is directed at the American population with intentions to succeed in business but fail to get the motivation necessary for this success (Ward 2015). This ranges from self-motivation to motivation from others within their locale and the entrepreneurs in general (Maslow 2015). For instance, the show being made up of several real investors who are millionaires presents a conducive environment for the aspiring participants to present their ideas as though it was in a real situation (Parke 2014). As a matter of fact, the participants and the investors are able to make real deals. In such deals, the investor is entitled to the money they make from the business without any connection to the studio that hosts the show. The show being a reflection of a similar show in the United Kingdom, Dragon’s Den, it presents the participants with the opportunity to improve their business ideas through investing with the investors who are referred to as the “sharks” (Ward 2015). From the social learning theory, it can be understood that the depiction of a micro society through the show of how an American society can improve the ideas developed by the people (Jennings & Henderson 2014). The media packaging in the show where some of the members are brutal like Mark Cuban demonstrates how the society at times fail to value ‘what is’ and ‘what is supposed to be’ especially when one is on the winning side like the ‘sharks’ in the show (Parke 2014). However, the depiction of the gentler side of life through the compassionate panel members like Barbara Corcoran appeals to the public of the possibilities that lie ahead for the self-motivated citizens (Ward 2015). According to the social learning theory as posited by Bandura, it can therefore be said that the show appeals to the entire audience of the possibilities for learning and motivation through the outrageous situations one may be found in (Rosentha & Zimmerman 2014; Jennings & Henderson 2014). The audience for the show can clearly understand the central identity problem depicted in the show. As a matter of fact, the show revolves around the self-efficacy problem that is demonstrated by most of the people around the world. According to Denler, Wolters & Benzon 2014, it is noted that the self-efficacy issue stems from Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory. According to Matias et al 2014, the social learning theory by Albert Bandura holds that observational learning through social experience will result in development of a personality (Jennings & Henderson 2014). However, self-efficacy goes beyond the mere personality development and visualizes how one develops their capabilities of organizing and executing courses of action in given situations (Rosentha & Zimmerman 2014). Basing on the real life events, it can be seen that people get motivated to do something when they perceive the benefits associated with the action outweigh the risks that are associated with it (Parke 2014). For example, one opts to take chances in business due to the possibilities of success which prevents him or her from foreseeing the numerous uncertainties associated with the business idea. This depicts the problem associated with too much of self-efficacy within individuals. From the show, the high stake situations involved present a good example of the risks that the investors are willing to take before investing in the business ideas presented by the participants (Maslow 2015). In this way, the social learning perspective demonstrates that the public will be motivated to take such risks which might possibly result in successful investment (Matias et al 2014). According to the self-efficacy theory, the people with high efficacy belief are more confident in the manner in which they act in their capacity in executing a given behavior (Parke 2014). Moreover, this aspect has been known to be responsible for determining the manner in which one perceives the experiences they gain and how these experiences can be useful towards performance of certain activities (Matias et al 2014; Maslow 2015). As such, in reality, one gets a number of lessons from the experiences they encounter just like it is demonstrated in the show where the entrepreneurs are responsible for being outrageous at times to help remind the audience and the participants of the threatening situations like where the panel members at times threaten to pull out of the deal with a participant to let the participant go away empty handed (Rosentha & Zimmerman 2014). The low self-efficacy is known to be responsible for the feeling of inadequacy and failure to appreciate the ability that one has in generating their own ideas and effecting them. However, through the demonstration of the self-efficacy perspective by Bandura as discussed by Matias et al 2014, it can be noted that such identity issues can be alleviated by participating in various social learning experiences like the one demonstrated under the Shark Tank. Furthermore, the tensions around the self-efficacy are resolved in a number of ways throughout the show. One of the means through which the tensions has been resolved is through providing avenues for testing out the fears of the people to think and act out their ideas (Parke 2014). From the self-esteem perspective, it can be noted that the appeal to the emotions of the participants through creating fear and agitation just like Cuban does when he rebukes the participants of having unrealistic ideas that would generate more losses than profits. The repeated emotional arousal that is demonstrated under the show presents alternative avenues for the participants to channel their efforts on how to deal with stressing situations and rather than avoidance of the situations, learn how to mitigate their stress through accomplishing various activities (Matias et al 2014; Maslow 2015). For instance, it has been reported that some of the participants, after being rebuked from the show, end up refining their business ideas and become successful eventually. This is similar in a way to what takes place in real life situations whereby people tend to have enhanced self-efficacy after being physically stressed by the situations revolving around them. For example, a student who is usually laughed at for failing certain subjects tend to put in more effort in the study of the subjects and consequently may end up succeeding eventually (Denler, Wolters & Benzon 2014; Maslow 2015). The self-efficacy issue works in such a manner that the people with strong efficacy tend to refine their mastery experiences through after performance accomplishments demonstrated from other people’s experiences (Parke 2014). For instance, the participant modelling like the one demonstrated in the show whereby successful participants get to make deals with the panel members serve to appeal to the audience and other participants that the desire to be successful through accomplishment of activities supersedes the risks that may be underlying at first instance. In addition, the vicarious learning that is seen through the vicarious experience demonstrated during the show presents the audience and the participants with the opportunity to observe the real life experiences acted out and learn from it (Denler, Wolters & Benzon 2014). This has also been seen in real life situations like student being motivated to study hard after observing their colleagues being rewarded for their success. The appeal to the audience that certain business ideas are ‘do-able’ provide a foundation to the studies around the identity issue of self-efficacy. From the Maslow’s theory of motivation, people tend to perform activities when they find proper motivation to do so (Maslow 2015). For example, the encouragement and discouragement will determine one’s ability to perform a given task which serves to boost their self-efficacy (Schwarzer 2014; Maslow 2015). One way in which the panel at the Shark Tank show redirects the tension associated with self-efficacy is through providing verbal persuasion to the participants. Through such panel members as Barbara Corcoran, the participants who may fail to get deals from the panel are encouraged to pursue their ideas at their own pace and even improve them (Maslow 2015). This provides an encouragement to the participants and end up improving on their self-efficacy with the perception that at least they were not as badly off as they thought they were before the show (Matias et al 2014). This has further been experienced in real life where managers tend to provide pep talks to their employees regarding their performance which encourages such employees to have better ambitions. However, the effectiveness of the verbal persuasion may be less effective at times, the fact that it is readily available allows the people involved improve on their self-efficacy (Rosentha & Zimmerman 2014; Maslow 2015). Conclusion To sum up, it has been established that self-efficacy is one of the key identity issues that exists within individuals around the world (Jennings & Henderson 2014). the self-efficacy has been noted to be responsible in determining how effective one perform certain goals and tasks besides handling certain challenges and how they approach and execute roles and ideas (Schwarzer 2014). The people with strong self-efficacy sense are known to be in a position to develop better understanding and deeper interest in a given task that they take part in besides considering challenges as tasks that should be accomplished and mastered (Matias et al 2014; Jennings & Henderson 2014). This has further been demonstrated in the Shark Tank show where the participants are faced with tasks to impress the panel with the business and innovation ideas in order to get deals with the ‘Sharks’. On the contrary the people with weaker self-efficacy are known to avoid challenges and consider negative outcomes that at most instances result in loss of confidence (Jennings & Henderson 2014). As such, their ability to perform given tasks and develop skills is hindered by minor failures like when agitated by the members of the panel at the Shark Tank. Self-efficacy has been supported by a number of theories and perspectives ranging from the social cognitive theory by Albert Bandura to the social learning theory and how these theories can be applied in real life situations to improve on one’s self efficacy (Denler, Wolters & Benzon 2014). References Denler, H, Wolters, C & Benzon, M 2014, ‘Social cognitive theory’, Retrieved from. Jennings, WG & Henderson, BB 2014, ‘Social learning theory’, The Encyclopedia of Theoretical Criminology. Maslow, AH 2015, ‘A theory of Human Motivation’, Classics of Organization Theory, vol. 50, p.142. Matias, C, O’Connor, TG, Futh, A & Scott, S 2014, ‘Observational attachment theory-based parenting measures predict children’s attachment narratives independently from social learning theory-based measures’, Attachment & human development, vol. 16 no. 1, pp.77- 92. Parke, RD ed 2014, ‘Recent trends in social learning theory’, Academic Press. Rosenthal, TL & Zimmerman, BJ 2014, ‘Social learning and cognition’, Academic Press. Schwarzer, R 2014, ‘Self-efficacy: Thought control of action’, Taylor & Francis. Ward, JA 2015, ‘Assessing Creativity in Shark Tank Entrepreneurial Pitch Meetings: Extending Dual-Process Judgment Theory’, Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal, vol. 21 no. 2, p.119. Read More