Using a textual analysis, the current study examined images of 20 African-American women across six different reality television docusoaps. Three of the docusoaps featured a cast of predominately African-American women while three featured a cast where the African-American women were in the minority. The purpose of the study was to determine how African-American women were presented in this popular genre of television and if these images had improved or stayed the same from past media images. The racial make-up of the casts was also considered to see if it correlated with the presence of more flattering or unflattering images. Guided by Berger and Luckmann's (1966) Social Construction of Reality, the researcher determined how these images could be used by audience members as they construct views and opinions about African-American women.

The analysis revealed that African-American women were presented in flattering and unflattering lights. However, the unflattering image of African-American women as mean and aggressive was more abundant than other images. Images found within the docusoaps did feature characteristics of past stereotypical African American characters. The women were presented more favorably when they were part of a predominately African-American cast. The women were presented as professional, good mothers only within shows where they were the majority. Yet, even within these shows women were framed more positively within their cast biographies than in the actual episodes. African-American women's hypersexuality—a characteristic historically ascribed to African-American women—emerged within the docusoaps, as well. However, this was only a dominant image when the women were featured as the minority. The findings illustrate how African-American women are still featured in demeaning ways within reality television. Such images impact the way in which viewers construct their own reality.