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The Media and Violence

Due to recent events around the country regarding teen violence, many commentators and critics have pointed to the increase in violent images on television, in movies, and in video games as cause for this violence (Halgin, 2001, p. 186). In "Issue 12: Does Media Violence Promote Violent Behavior in Young People?", R. P. Halgin sets forth two articles, "Media Violence: A Demonstrated Public Health Threat to Children" and "Violence in the Mass Media and Violence in Society: The Link is Unproven" to explore the apparent link between media violence and violence displayed by children (2001, p. 187).

In their article, "Media Violence: A Demonstrated Public Health Threat to Children," Huesmann and Moise attack Dr. Freedman as being "highly selective" in his reading of the research (1996, p. 188). They point to the "more than 50 field studies over the last 20 years" (p. 189) that have indicated that children who habitually watch more violent programs behave more aggressively in their everyday life (p. 189) and refute Freedman's assertions that there is "no statistically significant effect for either sex" (p. 190).

Huesmann and Moise also indicate that cultural differences may bring about slightly different results, but that in this case the results are surprisingly similar (p. 190). Exposure to media violence stimulates aggressive behavior in at least five ways: 1) imitation or observational learning; 2) desensitizing children to the effects of violence, it appears to be normal behavior to them; 3) Making violence appear justifiable (i.e. if they do it on T.V. it's okay); 4) cognitive priming or cueing, the activation of existing aggressive thoughts; and 5) physiological arousal and desensitization to adverse feelings when watching acts of violence occur. The authors conclude by stating that the studies are conclusive, media violence stimulates aggression.

J. L. Freedman, in his article "Violence in the Mass Media and Viole...

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The Media and Violence. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 10:28, March 29, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1687543.html