The Bachelor: Why it "works"

As a shameless lover of reality tv, it's surprising to me that I never really got into The Bachelor. The show, which features a hot piece of man and between 25 to 30 ladies vying for his heart over the course of just under 3 months, is currently in it's 18th season. Not to mention it has two spin off series (The Bachelorette and The Bachelor Pad). Despite it being on the air,  I didn't realize it was still relevant until one of my friends told me she couldn't get dinner because "her Monday nights were reserved for Juan Pablo."

(Source: E! Online via ABC)

So what's the deal with JP? Yeah, he's definitely hot and has an accent to die for. But will 25 women fall in love with him in 90 days? The answer is: not really, but kind of, and here's why.

Excitement = attraction.

Imagine you've just been selected to be on the show. You're going to be on television, your 5 minutes of fame is just around the corner! You'll be living in a fabulous mansion and wearing beautiful dresses. That in itself is probably enough to get your heart racing. But wait! There's more! So far on season 18 we've seen the contestants travel to foreign countries (New Zealand, Vietnam, South Korea), participate in some extreme sports (bungee jumping and Electric Runs), and even take a joyride in some strange water car contraption. 

(Source: Wet Paint via ABC)

But Juan Pablo and the producers on the show chose these dates because of JP's sense of adventure! Wrong. They chose these dates so in episode 3 when Chelsie conquers her fear of heights and finally takes the plunge off the platform, adrenaline will be coursing through her veins and JP will be right by her side. Now we know that all those butterflies in her stomach are coming from just having free fallen hundreds of feet towards possible death, but Chelsie will interpret them as a sign that her and JP are meant to be. How sweet! It's love!

But in all seriousness, this is a clever strategy by the producers because if you continuously have stimulating experiences while in the presence of a specific object/person, you will undoubtedly start to associate those feelings of arousal with that object/person. And voilà! Now we have 25 girls falling head over heels for a Venezuelan hunk who should probably just keep his mouth shut.

(Source: Yahoo)

Rose Ceremonies
Let's think of the whole elimination process like it's an initiation. Lots of elite groups have an initiation process. Members work hard for weeks to prove that they are worthy, so when they are finally chosen to join the group, the status becomes so much more valuable. And why wouldn't it!? You hear horror stories of potential fraternity brothers swallowing live goldfish only to swear loyalty to the "brothers" who made him do it 2 weeks later. Military recruits are sent through bootcamp where they endure intense physical challenges and have their identities challenged and restructured by senior officers. At the end they've beaten the odds, they've gone through hell, and now it is time to reap the benefits. It's actually quite a common tactic.

Poor Kylie!! (Source: Daily Mail)

And then there's the show. After 3 months in a house with 25 girls all dating your boyfriend, you've proven that you're the one he wants. You've gone through the stress of weekly eliminations where you put yourself out there for the possibility of rejection on national television. You've had to prove your motives to him, to the other girls, to America. You've fought for him and earned his love and now that you have it you're never letting it go (at least not until 3 months after filming which seems to be the shelf life for most Bachelor relationships).

So there you have it! But just because you know how it works doesn't mean you can't enjoy it! So tomorrow night be sure to get your Juan Pablo fix with your head held high.

Let me know in the comments if JP is the man for you!