In the 1990s and early 2000s, the phenomenon known as reality TV became a part of American popular culture. The concept behind the reality TV genre (category) is elementary: take a group of average individuals, who usually are strangers to each other, place them in an artificial living situation or an unusual locale, and have camera crews record their interaction. Such shows are popular with networks because they are inexpensive to produce, and the most successful of them earn astronomical ratings—and profits. They also are controversial. They present themselves as "reality," yet occasionally the behavior of participants is manipulated. Furthermore, even when there is no obvious pressure, how are participants affected by the constant presence of the camera? Do they react and interact as they ordinarily would, knowing full well that their every action is being recorded, and eventually will be broadcast to millions?

The...