Media Violence and Aggressive Behaviour - Research Paper Example

This investigative study concludes that consistent exposure to violence on television results in greater degree of aggression and lesser interest in social interaction. This investigative study is based on face-to-face interviews conducted individually from four participants. The sample included individuals from ages 10 to 24, belonging to different ethnical backgrounds. The findings from the interview helped determine the impact of TV viewing preferences on the development of aggression and emotional relationships. The results are further corroborated with the help of secondary research from peer-reviewed articles that support the findings. Introduction Television is a very powerful means of communication and persuasion. This medium of information and entertainment comes with its drawbacks; for many years television viewership has been associated with obesity, short-attention spans, aggression and smoking in children (Christakis et al, 2004, p 652). Over the years, there has been extensive research to determine the impact of violence portrayed through television on the later lives of individuals and children that are exposed to it (Levermore & Salisbury, 2009, p.42). This research does point in the direction of a causal relationship between violence on television and increased aggression at later stages in life. In light of social cognitive theory and script theory, there can be an influence on the behaviour of children when they observe violence being modeled by media (Matos, Ferreira and Haase, 2012). Murray (2008) suggests that television viewership has a drug-like effect on young viewers, where children are observing fast-paced action and violence on their television screens in a zombie-like state. Young children are exposed to television programs with central characters that commit violence as a means of achieving social justice and heroism; and frequently this behaviour results in positive outcomes (Lemal and Bulck, 2009). The later findings further support the study of Matos, Ferreira and Haase (2012) by implying that the young television audience “selectively observe and extract” violence from modeling characters when they appear to be charismatic and heroic. This investigative study will aim to establish a relationship between television viewing preferences, particularly violence and their consequent impact on behaviour. Television Viewership- Frequency and Duration The television watching duration was average Australian television viewing close to 100 hours per month or 3 hours a day (Neilson 2012). In the sample age group of 12-24 the television viewership duration ranged from 2 to 3 hours per day. According to the guidelines provided by Academy of Pediatrics, children under 2 years of age should not be watching television at all and older children should limit it to not more than 2 hours per day (Christakis at al, 2004, p 652). In light of these guidelines the average television viewership amongst Australian children is very high and unhealthy. Furthermore, television viewing is an inactive activity where the individual is not providing any input, just receiving one-way messages. So, the 50 years worth of research that point to the drugging-effect of television is a major concern (Pecora, Murray, & Wartella, 2007). According to the study conducted by Matos, Ferreira and Haase in 2012, the children spend up to 3 hours and 59 minutes watching television. This extended duration for time allows for the children to form identification and familiarity with the characters, so the aggressive behaviour on-screen is shown as something acceptable and is continually reinforced (Matos, Ferreira and Haase, 2102, p78). Correlating this research with the findings of our research, we can effectively conclude that the 3 hour average duration is significant in impacting behaviour of children all the way to adulthood. The frequency is not very high at most 2, as most viewers watch their favorite programs in one-sitting and majority of their preferences are prime-time shows that are about 30 minutes to 1-hour duration. Television Preferences The interviewees provided details of their television viewing habit over time. This incorporated cartoons depicting violence such as Power-Puff Girls and Ninja Turtles to adult programs that are very specific to this genre such a Prison Break and Midsummer Murders. It was noted that with each of the participants there was always one or two programs depicting violence in some form. Thus, the participants were exposed to violent programming at every stage in their lives. Impact of Extensive Viewership of Violent Television Programs on Behaviour Based on interviews conducted from the participants, it was evident that there had been changes in behviour following exposure to violence in television programming. This change in behaviour occurs in the form of excitement, agitation, aggression and impatience. This relationship between television violence and aggression is strengthened by the research conducted by Matos, Ferreira and Haase (2012) on Portuguese students. Their research concluded when violence is presented to the audience as something heroic, leads for the audience to establish an identification with the violent lead character, this facilitates in the learning process and forming memories (Matos, Ferreira and Haase, 2012, p77). This idea that aggression and violence are accepted and rewarded leads for the audience to learn aggression as a means of problem-solving behaviour. Relating this to our interview participants, we can note that their television program preferences include violent programs with aggressive characters playing a lead or heroic role. For example, in Power Puff Girls, which is targeted towards young girls, the central characters are cartoons battling evil by exhibiting violent behaviour. Another study conducted by Lemal and Bulck (2008) stresses more on the moral message that is conveyed by the violent heroes on television rather than the effects of television viewership itself. In both the cases it is evident that these “heroes” are responsible for the aggressive behaviour as a consequence of watching television. According to a study conducted by Johnson et al. (2004), a statistical relationship was formed between exposure to violent television programming as a child to exhibition of aggressive behavior upon reaching adulthood. Variable Behavioural Outcomes in Sample Age-Based Behaviour In terms of the quantity of violent programs, adults or children above 14 have greater exposure to them. Children’s programming contains elements of humour, entertainment and learning as well. On basis of the interviews conducted from the younger members it was observed that children’s preferred programs such as Dora the Explorer, Bananas in Pajamas and H2O contain information and moral lessons without violence. According to research conducted by Lemal and Bulck 2009, non-violent exposure to television can lead to moral development in children. About 78% of all television programs aimed at children propagate moral reasoning (Lemal and Bulck 2009). Relating this concept to the concept of heroism, a central character portraying moral and non-violent conduct can also influence behaviour. But this observation is contrary to the one presented by Johnson et al (2004) that suggests that three to five violent acts are depicted in one-hour of children’s television programs. So in light of this, a very important role is that of a caregiver or parent in determining what they expose their child to. Furthermore, additional information provided by the participants in terms of TV viewing habits also helps us determine the impact. For example, participants older than 14 years watched television alone, mostly had a TV set right in their rooms and frequently watched television while eating their meals. According to research conducted by Christais et al. (p253), it was concluded that having a television in the room and eating in front of the television increased the duration of viewership. Gender-Based Behaviour It was clearly evident that there was a significant preference for violent television programs amongst the male participants as compared to the female, based on the information provided to us by the participants. However, there was a new finding that challenged the traditional belief of female aversion to violence was the new realm of television programming that incorporated romance and fantasy with violence. This included high preference amongst female viewers of programs such as Vampire Diaries, Angel and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Television Viewership on the Basis of Ethnicity This study included four participants, each from a different ethnic background and age. So through this study, we were unable to form a comparison between the tastes and preferences of the participants to other members of their age groups. The common trend was that each preferred to watch popular television shows that were of Australian and American origin. Australia constitutes a very diverse population with people belonging to different ethnic backgrounds. Thus, the role of media in a culturally diverse society such as Australia becomes very important, as they need to provide recognition, safe-guard rights and provide visibility to minorities (Georgiou, 2012). Consumer Awareness about Changes in Behaviour Three out of the four participants that were interviewed were not aware of the effects of the violence depicted on television on their consequent behaviour. According to a study on aggressive behaviour conducted by Janssen et al. (2010) on 10 to 16 year old Canadian youth, they tried to identify cues of physical violence such as frequency of physical aggression and bullying of others over the last 12 months. Although it was not possible to determine the physical attributes of aggression through individual interviews, it was determined that violence on television had created a strong acceptance amongst the audience. According to Lemal and Bluck (p.318), repeated exposures to violence on television that depict a one-sided view of an attractive aggressor lead for the development of a self-centered moral reasoning. Since the aggressor appears to be in a character of heroism and his actions remain unaccountable, this leads for children establish the concept that the action is justified (Lemal & Bulck, 2009). This research helps support our findings that the participants are using authority based reasoning to justify violence and don’t perceive it as something unacceptable. As it was observed through the responses of the participants, a majority of them denied noticing any significant changes in behaviour as a consequence to television violence. This is so because most people experience the “third-person effect” as a consequence of media violence, this means that others may be affected by it but they are not (Ellison, 2012, p. 520). A study conducted by Gregory C. Ellison in 2012 suggests that extensive exposure to violence on media causes the fantasy and reality to merge in the minds of the consumers. Linking Ellison’s inference that the roots of fantasy take place as a result of repeated and continuous exposure to a specific idea, in this case violent characters in TV programs, it can be inferred that the participants who watch TV close to three hours every day, it can easily be inferred that they are acquiring a behaviour- voluntarily or involuntarily. Conclusion of the Study The main purpose of this study was to establish a correlation between viewing violence on television and the incidence of aggressive behaviour. There has been excessive research with regards to this issue, since parents and society in general both are concerned about the occurrence of aggression in children as a consequence of watching violence on television. With the help of primary and secondary we have been able to establish a direct relationship between the two. There has been a significant impact of perception of violence among the participants as they have been watching television portray aggressive behaviour as a positive and acceptable element. Thus, by observational learning, the participants have developed an admiration for aggressive behaviour when they see the heroic character exhibit aggressive behaviour (Murray, 2008, p. 1212). Although it has been established that there has been impact on the behaviour to some extent, further research would be required to determine exactly to what extent. Other factors that may lead to discomfort in children such as belonging to low-income household, neighbourhood violence, negligence of parents or psychiatric problems exacerbated when children view aggression on television (Johnson et al, 2004). This has been a successful research but like every research this one also comes with its limitations. Limitations of the Study 1. This particular study only covers the television programming that the interviewees are voluntarily watching as primary audience. It does not cover their participating as secondary audience while another person is voluntarily watching violence in front of them, with the participants functioning as the involuntary audience. 2. Furthermore, this study also covers television programming only and does not incorporate advertisements that the audience s exposed to during commercial breaks. The appearance of violent commercials is significantly important because they generally have a higher frequency and this may even have a very strong cultivation effect (Hetsroni, 2010, p.29). 3. Research supports that variables such as depression and delinquent peer associations play a stronger role in aggression and violence in youth as compared to television viewership (Ferguson, Miguel and Hartley, 2009, p.907). This research implies that various factors other than television viewership come into play as far as aggression in concerned. 4. This study also does not take into account the emerging audio visual media of computers and video games. At present computers and video games combined exceed the average time 14-24 spend on television viewership, and the former two exhibit greater degree of violence than television (Christakis et al, p535). References “Australia’s Multi Screen report for Q1, 2012 shows television viewing strong, as new devices and technologies create new opportunities to view.” The Nielsen Company. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2012 from http://www.nielsen.com/au/en/news-insights/press-room/2012/australia_s-multi-screen-report-for-q1--2012-shows-television-vi.html Christopher, J., Ferguson, C.J., Miguel, C.S. & Hartley, R.D. (2009). A Multivariate Analysis of Youth Violence and Aggression: The Influence of Family, Peers, Depression, and Media Violence. The Journal of Pediatrics, Volume 155, Issue 6, December 2009, Pages 904-908.e3. Dimitri, A., Christakis, D.A., Ebel, B.E., Rivara, F.P., & Zimmerman, F.J. (2004). Television, video, and computer game usage in children under 11 years of age. The Journal of Pediatrics, Volume 145, Issue 5, November 2004, Pages 652-656. Ellison, G.C. (2012). Fantasy as Addition to Reality? An Exploration of Fantasy Aggression and Fantasy Aggrace-ion in Violent Media. Pastoral Psychology. 61.4 , p513.  Georgiou, M. (2012). Introduction: gender, migration and the media. Ethnic and Racial Studies . Vol. 35, Iss. 5. 75-91. Hetsroni, A. (2010). Violence in mainstream TV advertising: A comparison of the representation of physical aggression in American and Israeli commercials. Communications: The European Journal of Communication Research. 35.1 p29.  Janssen, I., Boyce, W.F. & Pickett, W. (2010). Screen time and physical violence in 10 to 16-year-old Canadian youth. Swiss School of Public Health. Int J Public Health. p.328. Johnson, J.G., Cohen, P., Smailes, E.M., Kasen, S. & Brook, J.S. (2002). Television Viewing and Aggressive Behavior During Adolescence and Adulthood. Science Mag. Org. Volume 295. P. 2468. Lemal, M. & Bulck, J.V. (2009). Television and children's moral reasoning: Toward a closed-end measure of moral reasoning on interpersonal violence. Communications: The European Journal of Communication Research. 34.3 . p305. Levermore, B. A., & Salisbury, G. L. (2009). Aggression: The relationship between virtual and actual aggression. Youth exposure to violent media. Forensic Examiner, 18(2), 32–42. Matos, A.P., Ferreira, J.A. & Haase, R.F. (2012). Television and Aggression: A Test of a Mediated Model With a Sample of Portuguese Students, The Journal of Social Psychology, 52:1. Murray, J.P. (2008). Media Violence: The Effects Are Both Real and Strong. American Behavioral Scientist. Volume 51 Number 8. P. 1212. Pecora, N., Murray, J. P., & Wartella, E. (2007). Children and television: 50 years of research. Mahwah, NJ:Lawrence Erlbaum. Note: The primary articles for research are marked in bold. The appendix that follows includes the interviews conducted from participants. INVESTIGATIVE STUDY 3- DATA COLLECTION SHEET Participant Name: ___Shantel Fernando________________ Gender: ______female______________________________ Age: __12 yrs_____________________________________ Ethnicity: ________Hispanic_Latino___________________ 1 1. List all their preferred programs from childhood to present time? 1. _H20- Just add water_______________4._Secret Valley_____________________________ 2. _Young Talent time_________________5.__Power Puff Girls_______________________ 3. __Bananas in Pajamas______________6.___Hi 5___________________________ 1 2. List the names of shows they have previously viewed that portray aggression/violence. 1.__Power Puff Girls______________________________ 2. _Secret Valley_________________________________ 3. _90210_______________________________________ 1 3. Note frequency of viewing: __2-3 hours a day_______________________________________________________________ 1 4. Note any reported effects whilst viewing on their: Behaviour__ Excited, influenced by television programs________________________________________ Thoughts: TV provides relaxation after a long day at school, try new stuff, don’t like violence on TV_______ Feelings: _Enjoy music and fantasy, teen dramas, ___________________________________________ 1 2 5. Prior knowledge of awareness: Yes______________ No___________ 1 6. List later consequences: 2 3 High amount of passive viewing as well as advertisements that are not directed to this age group, highly influenced by programs on television, secondary audience to programs not directed to them, impacts imagination and violence scares her. 4 7. List other’s comments toward TV viewing and preferences: Greater preference for romance and fantasy as compared to violence Watching TV during dinner time Spends more time on TV than playing outdoors or with family Limited to no interests in books and libraries. INVESTIGATIVE STUDY 3- DATA COLLECTION SHEET Participant Name: ___Owen Liu_ Gender: ______male Age: _15__________ Ethnicity: _____Asian 2 1. List all their preferred programs from childhood to present time? 1. _The Tribe_______________4._Lost_____________________________ 2. _Prison Break____________5.__Jonny Quest________________________ 3. __The Hills ___________6.___Avatar___________________________ 2 2. List the names of shows they have previously viewed that portray aggression/violence. 1._Prison Beak___________________________________ 2. __Lost_______________________________________ 3. __Avatar___________________________________________ 2 3. Note frequency of viewing: ________3 hours a day_________________________________________________________ 2 4. Note any reported effects whilst viewing on their: Behaviour: _Agitated, aggressive, Excited___________________________________ Thoughts: Has been watching TV since 1 year old, watches TV during dinner time as well, spends more time watching TV than talking to parent_____________________________________________________ Feelings: TV provides entertainment, things to talk about with friends, occasionally prefers watching TV or playing play station over going outdoor for physical exercise____________________________________________ 3 4 5. Prior knowledge of awareness: Yes______________ No___________ 5 6 6. List later consequences: 7 8 There is indiscriminate viewing including commercial breaks, TV is used as a sedative, inactive viewing for 2-3 hour everyday 9 10 7. List other’s comments toward TV viewing and preferences: Spends more time watching TV than in physical exercise or family time. More preference for TV programs showing violence as compared to any other genre Prefernce is greatly influenced by peers_ INVESTIGATIVE STUDY 3- DATA COLLECTION SHEET Participant Name: ___Aline Felix________________ Gender: ______female______________________________ Age: __18 yrs_____________________________________ Ethnicity: ________Anglo-Celtic____________________________ 3 1. List all their preferred programs from childhood to present time? 1. _Under-belly_______________4._90210_____________________________ 2. _Heart-break high___________5.__Power Puff Girls_______________________ 3. __Angel______________ 6.___Vampire Diaries___________________________ 3 4 2. List the names of shows they have previously viewed that portray aggression/violence. 1.__Vampire Diaries______________________________ 2. _______Under-belly_______________________ 3. _Prison Break_______________________________________ 3 4 3. Note frequency of viewing: __2-3 hours a day_______________________________________________________________ 3 4 4. Note any reported effects whilst viewing on their: Behaviour__ Break from everyday life, excitement, agitation, impatience, prefer watching alone or with friends not a family thing ________________________________________ Thoughts: TV provides relaxation after a long day at school, try new stuff, violence and romance together make a very good combination_______ Feelings: _Enjoys dark romances, greatly influenced by advertising and fashions depicted on television._____ 5 6 5. Prior knowledge of awareness: Yes______________ No___________ 11 6. List later consequences: 12 13 Less amount of passive viewing since she is particular abut her television choices and is seldom a secondary viewer, highly influenced by advertising, gets excited and influenced by watching violence and romance. 14 15 7. List other’s comments toward TV viewing and preferences: Greater preference if violence is mixed with romance and fantasy High preference for exclusive television watching Spends more time on TV than playing outdoors or with family Is greatly influenced by programs showing violence as something powerful and sexy. INVESTIGATIVE STUDY 3- DATA COLLECTION SHEET Participant Name: ___Garav Chopra________________ Gender: ______male______________________________ Age: __24 yrs_____________________________________ Ethnicity: _______Anglo-Indian __________________ 4 1. List all their preferred programs from childhood to present time? 1. _Packed to the Rafters_______________4._The Force-Behind the Line_____________________________ 2. _House_________________ 5.__Ninja Turtles_______________________ 3. __Two and a Half men______________ 6.___Johnny Quest 5 6 2. List the names of shows they have previously viewed that portray aggression/violence. 1.__Ninja Turtles______________________________ 2. _The Force-Behind the Line_________________________________ 3. _Midsomer Murders _______________________________________ 5 6 3. Note frequency of viewing: __1-2 hours a day_______________________________________________________________ 5 6 4. Note any reported effects whilst viewing on their: Behaviour__Seek Excitement and Relaxation, Prefer Privacy, Watch late night shows and frequently while having dinner________________________________________ Thoughts: TV provides relaxation after a long day at work, influences purchases, Prefer adventure and violence on TV_______ Feelings: _Violence provides excitement and a larger-than life feeling, violence as a means of appealing to the opposite sex___________________________ 7 8 5. Prior knowledge of awareness: Yes______________ No___________ 16 6. List later consequences: 17 18 High amount of exposure to television violence over extended period of time, violence as a means of seeking adventure, lesser exposure of feelings and emotions 19 7. List other’s comments toward TV viewing and preferences: Greater preference for violence and adventure Watching TV during dinner time Less personal contact and higher preference for exclusive TV viewing TV viewership falls second best to social media and gaming Read More