Consider the various theories about the effects of media violence
- how do you define media violence?
physical contact that intends to harm as well as use of weapons that are intended to harm people
- do you think there is too much, too little or just the right amount?
I think that there is the right amount, because the media could be alot more violent, but it could also be a lot less violent
- how does media violence affect you?
Media violence doesn't affect me, in the ways like i dont copy them or i dont want to hit someone.
- how do you think media violence affects others?
it doesn't affect the majority but it may affects some people in bad ways
Positive effects of violent films
- people can watch them for enjoyment
- you are not forced to watch the films
- cartharsis you may feel like you have let off steam (GTA5)
- Media portrayals of violence can increase awareness of social problems
Cathartic efffect
Cleanses people of violent inclations
socially positve action
people can be taught a leason e.g shows people racism so they won't do it as they know its wrong
Negative effects of violent films
- copying / immitation
- nightmares psychological effect
- moral panic e.g video games corrupting the young
Aggressive stimulatiuon theory
- banduras bobo doll experiment
- critisized for over stating the cause and effect
- conclusions are simplistic
- evidance is anecdotal
- other factors
- aggressive people may gravitate toward violent media
Catalytic theory/model (Ferguson et al 2008)
media trigger violence only when certain non-media factors are also present (the way people are brought up)
such as violence rewarded
media exposure is heavy
Contributing factors
violence is realistic and exciting
violence rights a wrong
violence includes characters and situations similar to viewer's own experience
violence is too complex to be explained by a single factor
the affects vary from person to person
Desensitizing theory
People become hardened to media
societys tolerance for antisocial behaviour is increasing
