Television Violence and the Effects on Children
Although the debate goes on as to whether or not television violence has a negative impact on children, there is ample evidence to verify that indeed, children are impacted in largely negative ways by being witnesses to violence on television. This paper provides six reasons why allowing children to watch violent TV is a bad idea and can create aggressive people later in life.
Reason ONE: An article in the peer-reviewed journal Pediatrics (van der Molen, 2004) points out what may not be obvious to parents and others involved in raising and educating children. That is, local news on television, which is not fiction of course, is found to "rely heavily on sensational presentations of violence" (van der Molen, 1771). And what kind of news is typically shown on the "local news"? Certainly violence is a constant theme, along with rape, robbery, shootings, car wrecks,…...
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Works Cited
Anderson, Craig A., Berkowitz, Leonard, Donnerstein, Edward, Huesmann, L Rowell,
Johnson, James D., Linz, Daniel, Malamuth, Neil M., and Wartella, Ellen. (2003). The
Influence of Media Violence on Youth. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 4(3),
It seems that violence on television does contribute to aggressive behavior, yet it is important to note that television is only one of many causes of aggression (Gunter and McAleer, 1990). Many other factors unrelated to television influence violence, and the specific impact of televised violence is dependent upon age, sex, family practices, and the way violence is presented. One statement is often repeated: television has major effects on a small number of individuals, and little effect on a large number of people. In the future, the questions and approaches will continue to evolve, and currently, groups funded by both the cable and network industries are examining levels of violence in order to provide better information on the type of violence being shown on television.
eferences
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). (April, 1999). Children and TV Violence. AACAP Facts for Families Journal, No.13.
American Psychological Association. (2004). Violence on…...
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References
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). (April, 1999). Children and TV Violence. AACAP Facts for Families Journal, No.13.
American Psychological Association. (2004). Violence on Television - What do Children Learn? What Can Parents Do? Retrieved from the Internet at http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/violence.html.
Beckman, Jeanne. (1996). Television Violence: What the Research Says About Its Effect on Young Children. Retrieved from the Internet at http://www.jeannebeckman.com/page18.html.
Gunter, Barrie, and Jill L. McAleer. (1990). Children and Television: The One Eyed Monster? New York: Routledge.
Two of the most important things that the industry is doing now is making sure that all television programs are rated, and using v-chips to keep children from seeing programs that contain violence (Szaflik, 2000). Neither one of these ideas are foolproof, however, and therefore more must be done. Unfortunately, not that many parents and educators are aware of what else can be done to help, and therefore television violence continues to grow. This can also lead to the idea that violence in the real world is increasing and that people are in more danger, regardless of what the actual facts are (Gerbner, 1994).
There are, however, things that parents can do to help their children when it comes to protecting them from excessive violence on television. These include:
Paying attention to what kinds of programs their children are watching and watching some of the programming together
Setting limits on how much time…...
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Bibliography
Blakey, Rea. "Study links TV viewing among kids to later violence." CNN/Health on the Web
Dittmann, M. "Childhood exposure to televised violence may predict aggressive behavior in adults." American Psychological Association: Monitor on Psychology 5 May 2003.
The study in this report involved a 14-year-old adolescent female who was 5-feet 2-inches and weighed 132 pounds; she was given a challenge to walk for exercise and use an exercise machine at home -- and in turn she agreed to cut back on television and other media usage. The bottom line was, she lost weight, but moreover, one year after the study she was increasing the level of physical activity she had been given at the outset of the study.
Evidence is presented in an article titled "Body Dissatisfaction and Patterns of Media Use Among Preadolescent Children" that boys and girls determine to some degree how their bodies should look from watching television. The authors' empirical research indicates that "body dissatisfaction and concern with weight" actually develop before a child reaches age 7 in estern societies (Jung, et al., 2007, p. 40). The alert researcher can see from the…...
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Works Cited
Potter, James W. On Media Violence. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishing, 1999.
Jung, Jaehee, & Peterson, Michael. "Body Dissatisfaction and Patterns of Media Use
Among Preadolescent Children." Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal
Attitudes and practices varied by age of the child and the gender of the parent.
Colorito, Rita. (2002) "Violence on elevision News Programs is a Serious Problem." Is Media Violence a Problem? Ed James orr San Diego: Greenhaven, 2002. 24- 30.
Colorito says that even though rates of crime decreased in the 1990s, television news coverage of violent crime increased. V news shows like 20/20 and Dateline frequently show stories on horrible crimes, sometimes with bloody crime scenes and re-enactments of the crime. his makes people think that there is more violent crime than there really is.
Felson, Richard. "Mass Media Effects on Violent Behavior." Annual Review of Sociology 22. 1996. [Electronic Version]
he topic of violence in the media has been continually debated over the past several decades. here are a lot of empirical studies that show the effects of V on aggression. However, no review looked at the criminal aggression. he…...
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The topic of violence in the media has been continually debated over the past several decades. There are a lot of empirical studies that show the effects of TV on aggression. However, no review looked at the criminal aggression. The author concluded that even though the possibility of TV and film violence can lead to violent crime remains, most of the studies show that viewing violence does not cause crime.
Kirsh, Steven. Children, Adolescents, and Media Violence. A Crtical Look at the Research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2006
This book gives a very good overview of variety of studies about media violence and children and adolesence. The book includes information on what is aggression and different theories about aggression and human behavior. Kirsh wants readers to be critical of the studies they read and make sure they are scientific. Although he does not believe that violence in the media is harmful based on the studies, he does say that it should not be ignored. He concludes by saying that there should be more positive media for younger children when they will be effected most.
In contrast, TV influences children in abandoning the theories they were taught and embrace other concepts, most related to violence. Also, after being exposed to TV violence children feel that it is perfectly natural for them to behave similar to the characters on TV (Langone, 1984, p. 48).
It is extremely important for a child to be assisted by an adult when watching TV. Studies have shown that children are influenced by the way adults perceive TV programs, meaning that a child is likely to gain a better understanding of right and wrong when he or she is supported by a mature individual. Even with that, TV violence can negatively influence children, as they will merely hide their aggression in the cases when they are assisted by an adult who disapproves of violent behavior in watching TV (Langone, 1984, p. 56).
Children are generally willing to do anything in ordered to…...
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Works cited:
1. Barker, M. & Petley, J. (2001). Ill Effects: The Media/Violence Debate. New York: Routledge.
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY Social Psychology: Television Violence and its Contribution to Aggression of ChildrenSocial psychologists take violence as a great concern since it is creating a negative impact on the mental conditions of the young generation. In the United States, children watch television shows that comprise 60% of violence in any form, and even 40% of them consist of substantial violence (Huesmann, 2007). Even the video games that are a form of entertainment for kids are now involving violence that is exciting to play and arouses emotions of aggression. This paper aims to highlight the issue of television violence and its contribution to childrens aggression along the lines of social learning theory.According to researchers, aggression means the behavior that inherits the intention of harming another person. In contrast, violent behavior is the kind of behavior that inflicts harm to others to the extent that the victim might need serious medical attention…...
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ReferencesAnderson, C.A. (2016). Media violence effects on children, adolescents, and young adults. Health Progress: Journal of the Catholic Health Association of the United States. L. R. (2007). The impact of electronic media violence: scientific theory and research. The Journal of Adolescent Health: Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 41(6 Suppl 1), S6–S13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.09.005 Huesmann, L.R. & Taylor, L.D. (2006). The role of media violence in violent behavior. Annual Review of Public Health, 27, 393-415. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.26.021304.144640 Kenyon, B.J. (2002). The effects of televised violence on schools [Master thesis, Grand Valley State University]. Grand Valley State University Scholar Works@GVSU. https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1591&context=theses Lan, K.L., Abdullah, M.C. & Roslan, S. (2010). Understanding media violence and the development of aggressive behavior of school children. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 7(C), 522-527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.10.070 Mitrofan, O., Paul, M., Weich, S. & Spencer, N. (2014). Aggression in children with behavioral/emotional difficulties: Seeing aggression on television and video games. BMC Psychiatry, 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-014-0287-7 Wiedeman, A.M., Blcak, J. A., Dolle, A.L., Finney, E.J. & Coker, K.L. (2015). Factors influencing the impact of aggressive and violent media on children and adolescents. Aggression and Violent Behaviors, 25, 191-198. https://www.chausa.org/publications/health-progress/article/july-august-2016/media-violence-effects-on-children-adolescents-and-young-adults Huesmann
This behavior was observed in more than eighty eight percent of the children. In order to show that learned behavior is not necessarily short-term, when the children were reintroduced to obo a few months later, 40% showed the violent behavior.
In assessing whether watching excessive violence on television causes long terms aggressive behavior, research studies should be more comprehensive. They should take into account factors such as chemical or neurological imbalances, family history of violence, emotional and physical abuse or genetic factors. Whether it is indisputably proven that watching violence on television causes aggressive behavior or whether it isn't, one should realize that over indulgence is never a good thing. They can have physical, emotional and sociologically negative impacts.
Parents have an important role to play. Instead of relying on federal guidelines for television program ratings, parents should make up their own minds about whether a child should watch a program.…...
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Bibliography
Bandura, a. (1977). Social learning theory. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall.
Funk, J.B. (1993). Reevaluating the Impact of Video Games. Clinical Pediatrics, 32(2), 86-90.
It said that most parents would support new limits to be established on content of television programs and shows. Approximately half of the surveyed parents and their peers expressed concern that their own children saw what they saw on TV. More lack and Hispanic parents expressed this concern than did white parents. More than three-fourths of them said that inappropriate television and media material worried them the most. Two-thirds of them said they closely watched TV shows their children watched. Those who said they could not do very much said that the exposure had gone too widespread to be controlled or that they were too busy. The Kaiser study also reported that one in four of the parents surveyed admitted that the media were the main negative influence on their children. The rest said it had positive influence and the rest said it had little impact. Four in the…...
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Bibliography
Better Nutrition (2002). TV Bashed. 2 pages. PRIMEDIA Intertec: PRIMEDIA Company
Bower, B. (1985). Social Channels Tune in TV's Effects. 2 pages. Science News: Social Science Service, Inc.
Etzioni, a. (1993). Lock Up Your TV Set: Violence on Television. 4 pages. National Review: National Review, Inc.
Fram, a. (2007).Most Parents Concerned About Violence in Media. 2 pages. Oakland Tribune: ANG Newspapers
There was also significant risk of increased attention problems associated with watching nonviolent television for the same age group, but no risk was associated with viewing educational programming. Older children ages 4 and 5 showed no increased risk five years later for attention problems from watching violent or non-violent programs. This second study was based on data collected from parents of 933 children and shows that the effect of violent television content on attention problems is much higher than previously estimated when program content was not identified." (Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute, 2008)
The work of Josephson (2005) entitled: "Television Violence a Review of the Effects on Children of Different Ages" states that children at the preschool age, or between three and five years of age "...begin watching television with an "exploration" approach. They actively search for meaning in the content, but are still especially attracted to vivid production features,…...
Watching Violent TV at Pre-School Age Linked to Aggression in Young Boys (2008) Seattle Children's Hospital Research Institute, 2008. Online available at http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/87763.php
violence in the media can create violent behavior in children and teens. Many studies show that watching violent media, such as video games, films, and even the television news can cause violent behavior in children and teens, and that behavior can continue into adulthood.
Several different studies have indicated that violence in the media can produce violent and aggressive behavior in children and teens. Two researchers note, "In the past decade, media-effects researchers have progressively reached consensus that exposure to television violence can result in aggressive behavior" (Greene & Krcmar, 2005). In addition, a fifteen-year study by the American Psychological Association (APA) also showed that both men and women are affected by media violence, and that adults who watched this media as children tended to be more violent, and convicted of more violent crimes (Partenheimer, 2003). In the past decade, violence has become much more common in the media, as…...
Greene, K., & Krcmar, M. (2005). Predicting exposure to and liking of media violence: A uses and gratifications approach. Communication Studies, 56(1), 71+.
Partenheimer, D. (2009). Childhood exposure to media violence predicts young adult aggressive behavior, according to a new 15-year study. Retrieved 4 Dec. 2009, from the American Psychological Association Web site: http://www.apa.org/releases/media_violence.html.
Attraction to Violence in the Media
Violence on Films and in Television
Filmmakers Technique to Grab the Audience
Violence Made to Swindle the Viewers
Making Violence Funny
Health Concerns
It is clear that one of the worthy changes in the social environment today is the advent and fullness of television. In this new setting, television, radio, videos, movies, computer networks and video games, have presumed central roles in people's day-to-day lives. Rather it be good or bad, it seems that the mass media are having some kind of a huge impact on people's standards, beliefs, and behavior. Regrettably, the consequences of one specific element of the mass media exposure has for the most part damaging effects on those that are watching' and others' health. There is much Research evidence that has been accumulating over a lot of ears that being exposed to violence on television and in video games does raise the danger of violent behavior…...
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Bibliography
Bishop, R. A P.J., 2006. Violence. Theory, Culture & Society. Theory, Culture and Society, 23(3), pp. pp.377-385..
BJ., B., 2007. Moderating role of. Journal . Pers. Soc.Psychol, 23(4), p. 950 -- 60.
Bushman BJ, H.L., 2008. Effects of televised violence on aggression.In Handbook of Children and the Media. In: Thousand Oaks: Sage, p. 223 -- 54.
Bushman, B. A A.C., 2001. Media violence and the American public: Scientific facts vs. media misinformation. American Psychologist, 56(7), pp. pp.477-489..
professional wrestling in America today. Specifically, it will include the question: does pro-wrestling cause violence in children? Pro-wrestling is a violent sport, and one of the most popular in America today. Many people in the public and the media question whether pro-wrestling, especially popular with children, causes violent behaviors in them. There are many documented cases of children's violence being caused or aided by actions they saw pro-wrestlers make on television, and it seems quite certain that children are certainly influenced by the violence they see during pro-wrestling matches.
Does Violence in Pro-wrestling Cause Violence in Children?
Professional wrestling is one of the most popular sports in America today, and it is clear by watching only one or two bouts that it is an extremely violent sport. One writer notes about the current massive popularity of pro-wrestling, "America's latest cultural obsession lies in the wrestling ring, where the likes of Sting,…...
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Works Cited
Billups, Andrea. "Analysts Grapple With the Popularity of Pro-wrestling." The Washington Times 22 Dec. 1999: 2.
Butters, Patrick. "Wrestlers Pinned by Image of Gore: Fatal Fall is Further Injury to the Sport." The Washington Times 2 June 1999: 8.
Jackman, Mary R. "Violence in Social Life." Annual Review of Sociology (2002): 387+.
Reuter, Ted. " Kids Grapple with Wrestling Violence." Dr. Politics.com. 30 March 2000. 26 Nov. 2003.
TV & Internet
Mass media technology has become omnipresent in our society. It is not uncommon for children to now be raised with personal electronics, constant television and an overall barrage of sensory stimulus. Moreover, electronic devices are becoming the main means of communication for the younger generation, which can challenge their ability to relate to others. While many in the media have called into question the impacts of these socio-technical changes, others point the benefits that technology offers, and note that change is inevitable and the negative effects are overblown. This paper will take a look at the effects of television and Internet consumption on the young generation.
Violence
There are a number of different influences the have been hypothesized for children based on their exposure to television and the media, none more prevalent than the argument that children are exposed to much more violence throughout their childhoods than ever before, and…...
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References
AAP. (2011). Children, adolescents, obesity and the media. Pediatrics. Vol. 128 (1) 201-208.
Harris, J., Speers, S., Schwartz, M. & Brownell, K. (2012) U.S. food company branded advergames on the Internet: Children's exposure and effects on snack consumption. Journal of Children and the Media. Vol. 6 (1) 51-68.
After all, when Marcellus is raped, the audience has witnessed the murder of two college students by Marcellus' hit men, and knows that Marcellus had a former ally thrown off of a roof for an unknown reason. In addition, it is because of Marcellus' orders that Vincent, whom the audience has grown to like, is killed at Butch's house. Marcellus is clearly not a good man, and yet, nothing in the movie suggests that he deserves to be raped by Zed and Maynard. It was significant that Tarantino chose Marcellus, the most criminal person in the movie, as the rape victim. It was even more significant that Tarantino chose Butch, the person with the most motive to see Marcellus injured, as Marcellus' rescuer. ather than dehumanizing people, the violence in the movie humanizes the monstrous Marcellus, both by depicting him as a victim and by showing him getting revenge.…...
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Referenced
Scorsese, Martin. Taxi Driver. Los Angeles: Bill/Phillips, 1976.
Scott, Ridley. Thelma & Louise. Los Angeles: Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer, 1991.
Tarantino, Quentin. Pulp Fiction. Los Angeles: A Band Apart, 1994.
Winner, Michael. Deathwish. Universal City, CA: Dino De Laurentiis Company, 1974.
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