Entertainment media as a source of relationship misinformation

Abstract

In this piece, we propose that entertainment media is an understudied source of misinformation and relationship science is an understudied domain of misinformation. We discuss two ways that relationship misinformation can appear in entertainment media – in the form of blatant claims and subtle content – and we provide an example of each from reality and entertainment television. We also propose an agenda for studying relationship misinformation and a set of questions to guide future research. We conclude by calling attention to the potential harms of such information on individuals and relationships.