Violence in the media

• How is the new media affecting violence in the media ?

  • more readily available
  • Digital technology allowing newer forms of interactivity (vr headsets, shooter games)
• Why was the murder of 2 yr old James Bulger, committed by two 10 yr old boys, blamed on violent media?

  Exposure to violent film “Childs play 3”

  Although police disputed this view and found no evidence that any videos viewed could've encouraged the horrific acts
• What was the Newson Report and Public reaction following ?

  Newson report: video violence and the protection of children, asserted that violent videos could lead to violent actions

  Public reaction: Media reported that the report established a definitive link between video violence and real world violence- lead to moral panic
• What is the main criticism of the Newson Report?

  It lacks conclusive evidence on media violence
• What conclusion did Cumberbatch (2004) reach regarding media violence?

  From analysing over 3500 studies into the effects of on-screen violence = There is no conclusive evidence of influence
• What types of media did Cumberbatch's research encompass?

  Film, television, video, and computer games
• What was Ferguson's (2014) focus in his research?

  Effects of violent movies and video games
• How did Ferguson (2014) critique the Newson Report ?

  From researching violence in films against real life homicide rates = He found no long-term links to real-life violence
• Effects of violence in the media

  • Copycatting and imitation
  • Exaggeration of the fear of violence
  • Psychological disturbance
  • Sensitisation
  • Desensitising
• What were the Bobo doll experiments and what were the findings?

  • exposed children to violent scenes involving attacks on a inflatable plastic doll
  • Children’s who had watched footage of an adult being violent towards the doll all acted the same 
  • Those who had not watched the footage displayed no violent behaviour 

  = Conclusion- exposure to violence causes violence which contrasted widely with the belief at the time that watching violence is cathartic and reduces violence 
• What does Livingstone point out about the link between media violence and violent behaviour in real life

  The link does not mean that media violence causes the behaviour. Those who watch more violent television tend to be more aggressive
• What 3 questions do researches have to resolve to understand violence and the media?

  
  

  1. Do more aggressive people choose to watch violence ?
  2. Do violent programmes make viewers aggressive?
  3. Do certain social circumstances both make people more aggressive and lead them to watch more violent television?