...Professor Hall ENGL 1895 01 23 September 2014 The Effects of Media Violence When was the last time the television could be turned on without individuals being exposed to some form of violence? Violence is seen in movies, reality TV, throughout news networks, and more. It seems as if media is aiding in a worldwide violence craze. Because media is the biggest source of advertisement and promotion, it has become incredibly easy to influence people in our society, more importantly our youth. According to the American Psychological Association, there are three major effects the media has on youth in our society. The effects include: children being less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others, more fearful of the world around them, and children are more likely to behave in aggressive or harmful ways toward others. (American Psychological Association, Nov 2013). Adolescents today are exposed to violence in all forms of the media such as video games, movies, television shows, and many others. As a result, the lives of adolescents are being tremendously impacted. To young people, the impact of media violence is not always evident, however it definitely exists. Because young children imitate the things they see, it is easy for children to imitate violent actions seen throughout various media outlets. In addition, Eugene Beresin, Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Residency Training, states, “Before the age of four, children are unable to distinguish between fact and fantasy...
Words: 819 - Pages: 4
...Main Stream Media Violence and the Effects on Society Violence can be found in almost every form of media from television to video games. Violence exists in sports, news, movies, and games. This violence has many implications on society. The impact of this violence is different from one person to the next and from children to adults. There are many forms of violence in the media today. Violence is most prevalent on TV and in movies, video games, and the daily news from around the world. Violence can be found in sports such as boxing, mixed martial arts, hockey, and football. The news reports of murder and other forms of violence every day. News about foreign wars or news of violence in your local inner city, bet your bottom dollar you will hear something new every day. It seems like every day there is a new and violent video game coming out. Games about war and games about crime life, even games about fantasy violence are all over the market. Children are affected by violent media more so than adults. Studies have shown that on average, American children watch no less than 4 hours of TV a day. Studies have also proven that violent programming can have some very adverse effects on children. Children can become emotionally numb to violence and develop a lack of empathy for victims, as noted by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Children have been known to imitate the violence they see on TV. Some children may even learn to use...
Words: 1195 - Pages: 5
...The Effects of Mass Media on Adolescents Kelsey Wyatt Western Governors University Abstract This Paper contents reviews of several studies conducted on the effects of mass media on children and adolescents. Most of the research suggests that over exposure and unsupervised use of mass media outlets can alter the psychological development of children, as well as create anxieties in adolescents. All of the researched reviewed examines the effects of all media other than book content. Research has shown that consuming too much mass media at a young age can alter the social and psychological structure of adolescents. Mass media can even desensitize youth to unhealthy behavior and effect their education. One of the more noticeable changes in the 21st century has been the growing media consumption, availability and influence. A major consequence of this growing influence is the negative effect it can have on a children’s well-being. Parents no longer have to worry about the influence of “bad” friends but the “virtual” bad influence readily at the fingertips of their children. According to the U.S. census over 80% of adolescents own at least one form of media technology (Comer 2008). The use of this technology is increasing every year with text messages and social networking being an easy access to both youths and adults. A survey was conducted in 2010 by the Kaiser Family Foundation on daily media usage. The survey found that children 8 to 18 logged an average of 6 hour media...
Words: 1961 - Pages: 8
...In the article Violent Media Is Good for Kids, Gerard Jones argues that the right amount of violent media, although in a childish style, lets children express the anger they have in an appropriate media (Jones 201). Anger is a natural feeling that when expressed well can lead to positive change and development. On the other hand, anger that is pent up and not expressed properly is counterproductive and can lead to random acts of violence. Exposing children age appropriate violent media will cause them gain courage and route the anger they feel through the characters in comic books and on TV. Although occasionally helpful, anger is generally seen as negative. Because anger is generally considered negative, violent media, which is seen by some...
Words: 995 - Pages: 4
...Media Topic 1: Explanations of Media Influences on Antisocial Behaviour Observational Learning Where individuals observe and imitate the behaviour of others. Many argue that watching television can teach viewers violent behaviour/draw their attention to behaviours they wouldn’t have previously considered. Bandura (1983) used his Social Learning Theory to explain this. Watching violent role models may increase violent behaviour in those who are already motivated to behave aggressively. TV may also teach viewers the positive and negative consequences of behaving aggressively. Research on the role of observational learning from media in antisocial behaviour has shown: ‐ Bandura et al (1986): Children aged 3‐5 were shown films of a model behaving aggressively towards a “bobo doll”. The doll was hit, thrown, sat on and punched in the nose 3 times during the film. The children were then lead to laboratory containing toys (including the bobo doll), and were observed during free play. 88% of the children imitated the behaviour seen in the film‐ significantly more than a control group of children who did not see the film. ‐ Bobo dolls do not retaliate when hit. This raises questions as to how much this study tells us about the effect of media influences on antisocial behaviour towards other human beings. ‐ Smith et al (2004): The children’s behave would be better defined as “rough and tumble play” rather than aggression. ‐ Some have labelled Bandura’s study as artificial...
Words: 8378 - Pages: 34
...How Media Effect Children Franchester White Eng/101 September 7, 2014 Karen Strimkovskey Is your child safe? As a parent, you always want to know what your child is watching on television. The media is a powerful tool that doesn’t always teach a positive lesson. Media have provided the means and opportunity for children to distort reality into fallacies through television and video games. While media programs have a negative effect on children, there are some positive programs. The largest amounts of violence are found in children shows. Children between the age of 2 and 18 spends 6 hours and 32 minutes on an average a day using media with the exception of sleeping this is more than they spend on any other activity. When multiple media is stimulated, this time is increased to 8 hours a day. Big parts of media exposure are violent acts that are also witnessed in video games. On an average, a young child will have viewed 200,000 acts of violence on television (TV). Exposure to violent media wrecks havoc on thoughts, feeling, and most importantly, behavior. “The Influence of Media Violence on Youth,” a report appearing in the December 2003 edition of “Psychological Science in the Public Interest,” points to strong evidence points to the exposure to media violence causes boost in physically and verbally aggressive behavior in children. “Extensive research evidence indicates that media violence can contribute to aggressive behavior...
Words: 1660 - Pages: 7
...Ethics in Media Violence Tatiana Y Craft Social Psychology Opposing View Points in Social Psychology Capella University September, 2013 Introduction There are always been violence in our world from ancient times when cavemen fought with tribes who came into their domain, the crusades in the 11-13 centuries, to the Iraq war in current days. At what point do we decide what violence is and is not, at what point do we decide what is better for our children to see, violence on television or video games and movies. We see in the news all the time reports about children shooting up schools, like Columbine, and Sandy Brook elementary. In both cases the media and video games were to blame for these tragedies, people have always been tied in their thoughts about why these things happen. At what point do we take responsibility for the way we raise our children? And at what point do we stop the media from depicting horrible images that may cause harm to our children? The Studies on Violence Several theoretical models describe the psychological mechanisms through which media violence can influence later behavior. Fundamentally, the psychological process all rely on learning. With repeated exposure to media violence, one can guess that one will be more aggressive. Many studies have been done the effects of media violence and videos games on the young human mind. Most of the studies done show that after time of playing violent video games many children’s aggressive...
Words: 1266 - Pages: 6
...It is evident that child behavior today is worse than ten years ago. There is a tendency for children today to be more aggressive than ever before. The media is extensive with reports of children doing drugs and exhibiting violent behavior. Girls are indulging in premarital and/or unprotected sex at an early age (The consequence has been increased rate in illegal abortions-some of which have resulted in deaths). At such an early age as 15 girls are sexually active. In essence children are less disciplined today than they were ten years ago. There are number of reasons for the decline in children’s discipline, but one of them stands out, and it might even be at the heart of all the others: laxity on the part of parents. Parental laxity has swung open the floodgates harmful factors which have in effect compromised children’s sense of morality and discipline. By reneging on their responsibilities, parents have denigrated the significance of the family as the source of primary socialization (Schultz, 2012). Sociologists profess that behavior is learnt through a process known as socialization (Schultz, 2012). Primary socialization, as differentiated from secondary socialization, occurs during the formative years of a child (Schultz, 2012). It takes place through the child observing and learning from those around him. Through this process a child is taught the type of behavior which elicits approval or disapproval from the people around them, usually the immediate family members...
Words: 1525 - Pages: 7
...Spring 2003 TV Violence Since the advent of television, the effect of TV violence on society has been widely studied and vigorously debated. Based on the cumulative evidence of studies conducted over several decades, the scientific and public health communities overwhelmingly conclude that viewing violence poses a harmful risk to children. Critics of the research challenge this conclusion and dispute claims that exposure to TV violence leads to real-life aggression. As we move into the digital era with enhanced images and sound, media violence will undoubtedly continue to be a focus of public concern and scientific research. Prevalence of Violence on TV The National Television Violence Study is the largest content analysis undertaken to date. It analyzed programming over three consecutive TV seasons from 1994 to 1997.1 Among the findings: • Nearly 2 out of 3 TV programs contained some violence,2 averaging about 6 violent acts per hour.3 • Fewer than 5% of these programs featured an anti-violence theme or prosocial message emphasizing alternatives to or consequences of violence.4 • Violence was found to be more prevalent in children’s programming (69%) than in other types of programming (57%). In a typical hour of programming, children’s shows featured more than twice as many violent incidents (14) than other types of programming (6).5 • The average child who watches 2 hours of cartoons a day may see nearly 10,000 violent incidents each year, of which the researchers estimate that...
Words: 3396 - Pages: 14
...Violence in Music Videos and Music Lyrics has a negative impact on children. Music videos that expose profanity and sexuality are inappropriate and leave a negative impression on young children. Violence in music videos can cause health problem. Music videos that promote negative lyrics are affecting young children. Music lyrics with vulgar languages affect the development and well-being of young children. For example, the study author (Stone, 2009) found “that music with explicit references to drugs, sex or violence can be associated with negative effects on school work behavior and emotions” (p. 2). Media violence not only provokes violence among children, it provokes sexual behaviors. However, Music videos add reinforcement to what is being heard with the use of visuals. Rap music video shows an elevated level of content presented of tobacco and alcohol use than any other kind of music videos. Exposure to violence, sexual imagery and alcohol in music videos persuade violent and hostile feelings, potentially aggressive behavior that may direct them to certain types of sadistic behavior. Teens listen to on an average 40 hours of music per week. Children under eight are still developing emotionally. They cannot distinguish between reality and fantasy. They tend to imitate what they hear on the radio and see on T.V. They idolize artists and build themselves to be like them. Children use music to obtain and control of their sensitivity level and to deal with seclusion...
Words: 1619 - Pages: 7
...Cognitive, Conscious, Energetic and Behavioral Impact of Violent Video Gaming Experiences Gabriel Aaron Dionne Strayer University English 215 December 11th 2011 Cognitive, Conscious, and Behavioral Impact of Violent Video Gaming Experiences “Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.” Martin Luther King, Jr. Brainy Quote (2011) Identifies Violence as: The quality or state of being violent; highly excited action, whether physical or moral; vehemence; impetuosity; force. Injury done to that which is entitled to respect, reverence, or observance; profanation; infringement; unjust force; outrage; assault. Ravishment; rape; constupration. To assault; to injure; also, to bring by violence; to compel. This statement gives insight to the ideology of violence being compelled or brought about in an individual through excited actions. The level of violence in video games is astounding not to mention the level of realism which can totally encapsulate you in the gaming experience leaving you feel like that experience was real on a conscious, cognitive, and behavioral level. Long gone are my days of Mario bouncing on mushrooms these days it is assault rifles, hand grenades and tactical missile strikes. Entertainment Software Rating Board (n.d.) provides a list of potential violent behaviors that may be found within our children’s gaming experience and it...
Words: 3779 - Pages: 16
...Media Violence and Children CHAPTER 7 Violent Video Games: The A COMPLETE GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND Newest Media Violence Hazard PROFESSIONALS Douglas A. Gentile and Craig A. Anderson Hazard Edited by Douglas A. Gentile In creating this electronic reprint, we have attempted to keep the style, pagination, and format as close to the published form as possible. Nonetheless, some errors may have occurred. If you discover a substantial error, please contact Craig Anderson using the following email address: caa@iastate.edu. Please note that this electronic reprint is provided as a courtesy. Please do not post or distribute this reprint in any fashion that may violate the copyright of the original publisher or the authors. Thank you for your interest in this work. In 1972, a new form of entertainment became commercially available with the release of the video game Pong. In Pong, two players tried to "hit" an electronic "ball" back and forth. From these humble beginnings, a revolution in the entertainment industry was born. Interactive game revenues are now significantly greater than the domestic film industry ("Industrial Strengths," 2000). Worldwide video games sales are now at $20 billion annually (Cohen, 2000). The PlayStation video game console, which began as a side project at Sony, now represents $6 billion of the company's $20 billion in annual sales (Cohen, 2000). It is reasonable to question whether video games may have similar effects...
Words: 11640 - Pages: 47
...Media Violence as an Instigator of Aggression and Violence You are what you watch. Easy to say, and not too difficult to imagine either. A little over a decade ago, two boys who later became household names in America, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold walked into Columbine High School in Colorado and went on a mass murdering spree where they killed 12 students, 1 teacher and injured 23 others before shooting themselves. While their motives behind doing so can not be ascertained, one possible contributing element which did surface was the influence of violent video games. At the risk of oversimplifying what is possibly a complex psychological mindfield, Harris and Klebold did enjoy playing a game called Doom, which is licensed by the American military for the purpose of training soldiers to kill effectively. Harris had customized his own version of this game and put it up on his website, which was later tracked by The Simon Wisenthal Center. This version of the game had two shooters with an unlimited supply of weapons and ammunition, and their targets lacked the ability to retaliate. A class project required them to make a video of themselves similar to the game, and in it, they dressed in trench coats, armed with weapons, and conduct the massacre of school athletes. Less than one year had gone by when Harris and Klebold played their videotape out, in real life, and became the protagonists of the deadliest high school shooting in U.S. history (Anderson & Dill 772). ...
Words: 2930 - Pages: 12
...concerned about the means regarding how society chooses to entertain itself. The philosophers were pointing out at the violent cockfights and its violent influence towards the people who were watching. The similar issue is concerning our society in the 21sth century. The only difference is that the cockfights were replaced with media violence. This has been a raising concept since the invention of television and introduction of the video games. This essay will discuss the validity of the claim that media violence causes aggressive behavior on the juvenile audience. The paper will firstly show the correlation studies and experimental studies about media violence and its influence on children. It will then move to other reasons which causes the aggressive behavior. Finally, this essay will also examine the influence of aggressive video games on players. Children found a new environment of amusement after the television came on the scene. They were exposed to large number of new programs. Even if there was a potential peril to juveniles, people were not aware of what sorts of programs or what quantities of it were dangerous. At that time there was not enough proof that violence programs was the cause of aggression (Carter& Strickland, 1993). Thus, the researchers began to conduct various kinds of research and studies to prove the correlation between the media violence and the aggressive behavior among juveniles. The early correlations studies found that there were some differences...
Words: 1738 - Pages: 7
...EFFECTS OF COMPUTER GAMING ON NEUST STUDENTS’ IN CABANATUAN CITY 1. FOREWORD ....................................................................................................................................................................... 3 2. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4 2.1. THE REPORT ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5 2.2. BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................................................................................... 5 3. RESEARCH DIRECTIONS ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8 3.1. ACTIVE USER PERSPECTIVES ....................................................................................................................................................................... 9 3.1.1. Important studies ..................................................................................................................................................................... 11 3.1.2. Problems with the Active User perspective ............................................
Words: 13956 - Pages: 56
