The Ultimatum and Love is Blind on Netflix have captivated viewers but what do the psychologists have to say about the show

Do Dating Reality Shows Like &#8216;The Ultimatum&#8217; Really Benefit Couples or Is It All About Netflix?

Netflix struck gold with the dating reality shows on its platform. When the pod
dating show Love is Blind came out back in 2020 people were attracted to the
unique premise of couples dating in pods. Then came along its successor, The
Ultimatum on Netflix where couples swap partners and test their bond. It sure is
giving the viewers plenty of drama to sink their teeth in and is no doubt
entertaining. But what about the couples on the show? Does this experience bring
changes to their lives and relationships in a positive way? Let’s find out. 


ARE DATING SHOWS BENEFITTING COUPLES REALLY?

Although Love is Blind [https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/love-is-blind]and The
Ultimatum [https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/the-ultimatum/] on Netflix are marketed
as social experiments but they are anything but that. In actual experiments,
participants sign ethics applications and are made aware of the risks involved.
But these Tv shows fall short of that. According to relationship science, these
experiments are nonsense. The shows sensationalize the lives of the already
vulnerable couples. Case in point, Jake and April’s split after their appearance
on The Ultimatum. Rae and Zay grow more toxic together and lastly, Nathan
proposed to Lauren out of sheer jealousy. Their chances of a stable future
together are slim. According to Research, [http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0016961]a
partner feels the greatest sense of validation when his or her significant other
makes an effort in their relationship. But in The Ultimatum, the creators are
making them swap partners and issue an ultimatum to their partners.


ARE DATING SHOWS PROBLEMATIC?

Villainizing real personalities and lack of self-awareness are a few of the
problematic aspects of the dating show on Netflix.

Although some contestants don’t need evil editing like Love is Blind’s Shake,
Shaina, Shayne, or The Ultimatum’s Colby or Nathan. But in a way, these dating
shows encourage the fans to send hate comments to these individuals.

[data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==]

The shows are sending the wrong message to an impressionable audience – one can
find love and marry in a few weeks. It blurs the lines between fake and reality.
Marriage is a lifetime commitment. One cannot arrive at such a decision in a
matter of a few weeks, but the couples on Netflix’s dating shows do. While some
couples do end up finding love, most end their relationship on a sour note. 

[data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==]

Not only that but Netflix had invited criticism for lack of body diversity on
Love is Blind and quite recently the streamer received heat for ageism
[https://netflixjunkie.com/the-ultimatum-is-lauren-pounds-26-or-30-years-old-did-netflix-really-change-her-age/]
on The Ultimatum. Moreover, both the shows don’t have a single LGBTQ member as a
cast. 


HOW MUCH DOES NETFLIX BENEFIT FROM COUPLES PARTICIPATING IN THE DATING SHOWS?

Netflix will keep producing these dating shows because it brings the numbers for
them. Even if the shows are unauthentic and toxic individuals populate the show,
viewers love the melodrama. This is reflected in Nielsen’s streaming
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-netflix-tops-nielsons-streaming-chart-inventing-anna-vikings-valhalla-worst-roommates-ever-and-love-is-blind-are-the-most-watched-shows/]
chart which revealed Love is Blind occupying the #4 spot. It accumulated 998
million watch hours. The giant success of the show spawned a Brazilian and
Japanese spin-off. Its producer Chris Coelen also brought The Ultimatum while
they wait for season 3. 


DO DATING SHOWS TEACH A LESSON?

For some of the contestants, the experience was transformational for them. For
Love is Blind’s Deepti Vempati, it helped her realize her worth and not settle
for anything less. As for Shake, he has somewhat mellowed down after his widely
controversial opinion and behavior on the pod dating show.

[data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==]

On the other hand, it has helped Rae Williams to discover her own sexuality.
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-the-ultimatum-reunioun-rae-williams-reveals-her-sexuality-in-an-emotional-speech/]
She ended things with Zay after they got physical on the show. Meanwhile, the
trial marriage concept helped Hunter get over his commitment issue with
Alexis.  


PSYCHOLOGISTS’ AND DATING EXPERT’S VIEWS ON NETFLIX’S DATING SHOWS

Media psychologist June Wilson says
[https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/relationships/a32208136/why-we-love-reality-dating-shows/],
“The programs take you off to a fantasy suite with roses and Champagne.” They
give viewers an escape and make them feel things. 

“We see many different personality characteristics and relationship archetypes
displayed on these shows, viewers often find people they can relate to,” says
relationship researcher and coach Marisa T. Cohen, Ph.D., CPLC. 

Viren Swami, a social psychology professor at Anglia Ruskin University calls
these shows “nonsense”. Looks matter and it’s impossible to take it out of the
equation. 

[data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==]

“There is this commonsensical notion that people who care a lot about physical
appearance are shallow, or they’re investing in the wrong thing. But in reality,
romantic relationships are based, partly at least, on the fact that we find
other people physically attractive.”

Case in point, everyone is attractive on these dating shows. Even dating guru
Charly Lester agrees
[https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/16/a-dating-expert-and-psychologist-weigh-in-on-netflixs-love-is-blind.html],
“I do think it just helps that most of them are probably at the upper end of the
attractiveness spectrum anyway.” According to her, it’s possible to find love on
dating shows if you are committed. 

We can conclude that dating shows are genuinely toxic and do not represent
reality. With so much going on around the world, such shows stir hate among the
audience. Various forums and discussions focus on an individual’s perspective
and how they act. The Ultimatum on Netflix is a perfect example of how the
streaming giant will churn out ridiculous concepts. Moreover, it is also about
how the contestants are willingly participating in such shows without thinking
about the repercussions.

Srabani Biswas

Comment

Do Dating Reality Shows Like &#8216;The Ultimatum&#8217; Really Benefit Couples or Is It All About Netflix? - Netflix Junkie

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Srabani Biswas is a writer at Netflix Junkie. She is a sociology graduate from Lady Brabourne College. Previously, she has contributed to Sports India Show and The Sports Room as a sports writer, and interned at Ripples Learning. A daydreamer, a dancer, and a lover of dogs, she enjoys quiet evenings with her laptop and a cozy blanket. With so much to do and so little time, she is constantly worried about her growing pile of unread books and unwatched shows on Netflix. Her favourites include Stranger, Vincenzo, Hello! My twenties,  Emily in Paris, Never Have I Ever, Peaky Blinders, Stranger Things, Reply 1997 and Sex Education.

https://netflixjunkie.com/does-dating-reality-shows-like-the-ultimatum-really-benefit-couples-or-is-it-all-about-netflix

Do Dating Reality Shows Like &#8216;The Ultimatum&#8217; Really Benefit Couples or Is It All About Netflix? - netflix-junkie

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Netflix struck gold with the dating reality shows on its platform. When the pod dating show Love is Blind came out back in 2020 people were attracted to the unique premise of couples dating in pods. Then came along its successor, The Ultimatum on Netflix where couples swap partners and test their bond. It sure is giving the viewers plenty of drama to sink their teeth in and is no doubt entertaining. But what about the couples on the show? Does this experience bring changes to their lives and relationships in a positive way? Let&#8217;s find out. 
<h2>Are dating shows benefitting couples really?</h2>
Although <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/love-is-blind">Love is Blind </a>and<a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/the-ultimatum/"> The Ultimatum</a> on Netflix are marketed as social experiments but they are anything but that. In actual experiments, participants sign ethics applications and are made aware of the risks involved. But these Tv shows fall short of that. According to relationship science, these experiments are nonsense. The shows sensationalize the lives of the already vulnerable couples. Case in point, Jake and April&#8217;s split after their appearance on The Ultimatum. Rae and Zay grow more toxic together and lastly, Nathan proposed to Lauren out of sheer jealousy. Their chances of a stable future together are slim. According to <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0016961">Research, </a>a partner feels the greatest sense of validation when his or her significant other makes an effort in their relationship. But in The Ultimatum, the creators are making them swap partners and issue an ultimatum to their partners.
<h2>Are dating shows problematic?</h2>
Villainizing real personalities and lack of self-awareness are a few of the problematic aspects of the dating show on Netflix.
Although some contestants don&#8217;t need evil editing like Love is Blind&#8217;s Shake, Shaina, Shayne, or The Ultimatum&#8217;s Colby or Nathan. But in a way, these dating shows encourage the fans to send hate comments to these individuals.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-23340 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/love-is-blind-2-iyanna-jarrette.webp" alt="" width="1284" height="856" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/love-is-blind-2-iyanna-jarrette.webp 1284w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/love-is-blind-2-iyanna-jarrette-300x200.webp 300w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/love-is-blind-2-iyanna-jarrette-1024x683.webp 1024w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/love-is-blind-2-iyanna-jarrette-768x512.webp 768w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/love-is-blind-2-iyanna-jarrette-1200x800.webp 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1284px) 100vw, 1284px" />
The shows are sending the wrong message to an impressionable audience &#8211; one can find love and marry in a few weeks. It blurs the lines between fake and reality. Marriage is a lifetime commitment. One cannot arrive at such a decision in a matter of a few weeks, but the couples on Netflix&#8217;s dating shows do. While some couples do end up finding love, most end their relationship on a sour note. 
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27664 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/The-Ultimatum-Lauren-Pounds.webp" alt="" width="2308" height="1154" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/The-Ultimatum-Lauren-Pounds.webp 2308w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/The-Ultimatum-Lauren-Pounds-300x150.webp 300w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/The-Ultimatum-Lauren-Pounds-1024x512.webp 1024w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/The-Ultimatum-Lauren-Pounds-768x384.webp 768w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/The-Ultimatum-Lauren-Pounds-1536x768.webp 1536w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/The-Ultimatum-Lauren-Pounds-2048x1024.webp 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2308px) 100vw, 2308px" />
Not only that but Netflix had invited criticism for lack of body diversity on Love is Blind and quite recently the streamer received heat for<a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/the-ultimatum-is-lauren-pounds-26-or-30-years-old-did-netflix-really-change-her-age/"> ageism</a> on The Ultimatum. Moreover, both the shows don&#8217;t have a single LGBTQ member as a cast. 
<h2>How much does Netflix benefit from couples participating in the dating shows?</h2>
Netflix will keep producing these dating shows because it brings the numbers for them. Even if the shows are unauthentic and toxic individuals populate the show, viewers love the melodrama. This is reflected in <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-netflix-tops-nielsons-streaming-chart-inventing-anna-vikings-valhalla-worst-roommates-ever-and-love-is-blind-are-the-most-watched-shows/">Nielsen&#8217;s streaming</a> chart which revealed Love is Blind occupying the #4 spot. It accumulated 998 million watch hours. The giant success of the show spawned a Brazilian and Japanese spin-off. Its producer Chris Coelen also brought The Ultimatum while they wait for season 3. 
<h2>Do dating shows teach a lesson?</h2>
For some of the contestants, the experience was transformational for them. For Love is Blind&#8217;s Deepti Vempati, it helped her realize her worth and not settle for anything less. As for Shake, he has somewhat mellowed down after his widely controversial opinion and behavior on the pod dating show.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27110 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/theultimatumcouples-1649250757231.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="629" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/theultimatumcouples-1649250757231.jpg 1200w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/theultimatumcouples-1649250757231-300x157.jpg 300w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/theultimatumcouples-1649250757231-1024x537.jpg 1024w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/theultimatumcouples-1649250757231-768x403.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
On the other hand, it has helped Rae Williams to <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-the-ultimatum-reunioun-rae-williams-reveals-her-sexuality-in-an-emotional-speech/">discover her own sexuality.</a> She ended things with Zay after they got physical on the show. Meanwhile, the trial marriage concept helped Hunter get over his commitment issue with Alexis.  
<h2>Psychologists&#8217; and dating expert&#8217;s views on Netflix&#8217;s dating shows</h2>
Media psychologist June Wilson<a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/relationships/a32208136/why-we-love-reality-dating-shows/"> says</a>, &#8220;The programs take you off to a fantasy suite with roses and Champagne.” They give viewers an escape and make them feel things. 
“We see many different personality characteristics and relationship archetypes displayed on these shows, viewers often find people they can relate to,” says relationship researcher and coach Marisa T. Cohen, Ph.D., CPLC. 
Viren Swami, a social psychology professor at Anglia Ruskin University calls these shows &#8220;nonsense&#8221;. Looks matter and it&#8217;s impossible to take it out of the equation. 
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20234 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" data-src="https://netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/love-is-blind-reunion-season-1-netflix.png" alt="" width="1239" height="840" data-sizes="auto" data-srcset="https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/love-is-blind-reunion-season-1-netflix.png 1239w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/love-is-blind-reunion-season-1-netflix-300x203.png 300w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/love-is-blind-reunion-season-1-netflix-1024x694.png 1024w, https://www.staging.netflixjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/love-is-blind-reunion-season-1-netflix-768x521.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1239px) 100vw, 1239px" />
“There is this commonsensical notion that people who care a lot about physical appearance are shallow, or they’re investing in the wrong thing. But in reality, romantic relationships are based, partly at least, on the fact that we find other people physically attractive.”
Case in point, everyone is attractive on these dating shows. Even dating guru Charly Lester <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/16/a-dating-expert-and-psychologist-weigh-in-on-netflixs-love-is-blind.html">agrees</a>, &#8220;I do think it just helps that most of them are probably at the upper end of the attractiveness spectrum anyway.” According to her, it&#8217;s possible to find love on dating shows if you are committed. 
We can conclude that dating shows are genuinely toxic and do not represent reality. With so much going on around the world, such shows stir hate among the audience. Various forums and discussions focus on an individual&#8217;s perspective and how they act. The Ultimatum on Netflix is a perfect example of how the streaming giant will churn out ridiculous concepts. Moreover, it is also about how the contestants are willingly participating in such shows without thinking about the repercussions.

Who-Will-Host-Ultimatum-Marry-or-Move-On-Season-2

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The Ultimatum and Love is Blind on Netflix have captivated viewers but what do the psychologists have to say about the show?

Do Dating Reality Shows Like 'The Ultimatum' Really Benefit Couples or Is It All About Netflix? - Netflix Junkie

Srabani Biswas is a writer at Netflix Junkie. She is a sociology graduate from Lady Brabourne College. Previously, she has contributed to Sports India Show and The Sports Room as a sports writer, and interned at Ripples Learning. A daydreamer, a dancer, and a lover of dogs, she enjoys quiet evenings with her laptop and a cozy blanket. With so much to do and so little time, she is constantly worried about her growing pile of unread books and unwatched shows on Netflix. Her favourites include Stranger, Vincenzo, Hello! My twenties, Emily in Paris, Never Have I Ever, Peaky Blinders, Stranger Things, Reply 1997 and Sex Education.

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Do Dating Reality Shows Like &#039;The Ultimatum&#039; Really Benefit Couples or Is It All About Netflix? - Netflix Junkie

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Do Dating Reality Shows Like ‘The Ultimatum’ Really Benefit Couples or Is It All About Netflix?

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