ffects of TV violence on children from theoretical and empirical perspectives. What this researcher intended to achieve was to identify the variety of factors that play a role in young viewers' interaction with TV violence and how they affect subsequent aggression in the short- and long-term time frame. Furthermore, this researcher also aimed to determine whether the prevailing theories about the relationship between exposure to TV violence and aggression are accurate in encapsulating the phenomenon. Finally, with the research portion of this report, this researcher sought to determine the attitudes of young viewers who watch violent programs in order to understand their attraction and responsive to this type of programming.
Two types of research methods were used for this report: a) a qualitative review of literature; and b) focus group discussions of 20 sixth-eighth graders who enjoy watching TV programs containing violence. This researcher elected to utilize the aforementioned research methods for several reasons. First, the qualitative review of literature that covers relevant theories and research studies offered a comprehensive examination of the topic. Second, this research method provided valuable background information for analyzing the findings of the research portion of this study.
As for the focus group interviews of 20 sixth to eighth graders who enjoyed watching TV programs containing violence, this research method elicited valuable insights into the young viewers' interaction with TV violence. The participants revealed their distinctive perceptions about their attraction to TV violence, which determining the impact of TV violence on their behavior. Instead of using the typical quantitative approach used by other researchers of TV violence, this researcher adopted the phenomenological approach in order to illuminate the distinctive and subjective perspectives of the participants. Without the limitat...