Since the early days, psychologists, teachers, parents and health professionals have been interested in the effects of television on the malleable children’s minds and the potentially resulting physical manifestations in the form of behavioral change. Psychologists such ad Albert Bandura were interested in the television’s effect on social learning and the children’s capacity to imitate the things that they see (APA, 2013). Now add to that media mix violence and the problem is compounded. To make matters more complicated, thanks to the 21st century’s technological boom, there are other avenues of getting exposed to violent images and lyrics-through harsh video games, music, the internet and violent television programs. The paper will assess how the various portrayal and at times glorification of violence in the media negatively affect children and adolescents resulting in acts of violence and aggression.
B: Literature Review
The article by Przybylski focuses on the positive and negative influence that electronic games have on the psychosocial adjustment of children and adolescents. The results of the study indicated that low levels of daily gameplay were beneficial to children while excessive gameplay resulted in peer problems, conduct problems, lower life satisfaction and emotional symptoms (Przybylski, 2014).
The American Psychological Association article looks at several types of research done over time by psychologists building on violent television programs and interactive video games such as “Call of Duty’ and ‘Grand Theft Auto’. The general consensus is that being exposed to violent video games can cause aggressive behavior, aggressive effect, aggressive cognition and prosocial behavior and decreased empathy (APA, 2013).
The paper by Kaplan seeks to establish a connection between violence in the media and the numerous mass shootings in the United States. Reports and position papers from the US Secret Service, the US Department of Education, the American Academy of Pediatrics and psychologists allude to the strong possibility that violent films and video games desensitize individuals and contribute to aggressive behaviors (Kaplan, 2012).
The paper by the Australian Psychological Society looks at some aspects of the media that are of concern to individuals and the society at large-chief among them being violence in children’s media. The paper concludes that children’s feelings, behaviors, and attitudes get influenced by violent television leading to the children becoming desensitized and displaying aggressive tendencies both in the long-term and short-term (Sanson et al., 2013).
The paper by Mößle, Kliem, and Rehbein sought to investigate how aggressive behavior is linked to violent media consumption, given the ease with which children can access violent content, especially on the internet. The study found that boys’ lower empathy due to consumption of violence resulted in more aggressive behavior relative to the girls’ whose behavior stabilized over time (Mößle, Kliem, & Rehbein, 2014).
C: Gaps in the Research
There are gaps in the research that fail to account for other variables apart from media violence that could result in aggression. The environment and family setting may impact an individual’s psyche leading to aggression. Mental health, violence at home, poverty and bullying are all potential causes. These factors including others should be assessed in order to establish concrete and irrefutable evidence linking media violence and child aggression.
D: Conclusion
I believe that violence in the media, from televisions to video games, and music to smartphones negatively affect children leading to aggressive behavior and hostility that may turn fatal. Given how impressionable children are, it is not a leap to conclude that what they see they do. I will look at both sides of the argument in support of and denying the negative effects of media violence on children. I will also take into account other variables that may contribute to aggressive behavior. From these, I will develop a comprehensive and inclusive paper that will shed more light on the matter. This work is important since most children have access and get exposed to violence in the media. It is prudent to know whether we are damaging children by showing them and allowing them to listen to certain things. If indeed damage is being done, then developing meaures to rectify them is the next step.
References
American Psychological Association (APA). (2013). Violence in the Media: Television and Video Violence. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/action/resources/research-in-action/protect.aspx
Kaplan, A. (2012, October 5). Violence in the Media: What Effects on Behavior? Psychiatric Times. Retrieved from http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/child-adolescent-psychiatry/violence-media-what-effects-behavior
Mößle, T., Kliem, S., & Rehbein, F. (2014). Longitudinal Effects of Violent Media Usage on Aggressive Behavior: The Significance of Empathy. Societies, 4, 105-124.
Przybylski, A. K. (2014). Electronic Gaming and Psychosocial Adjustment. Pediatrics, 134(3), e716-e722. Retrieved from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/134/3/e716.full.pdf
Sanson, A., Duck, J., Cupit, G., Ungerer, J., Scuderi, C., Sutton, J.,Gridley, H. (2013). Media Representations and Responsibilities: Psychological Perspectives. Australian Psychological Society. Retrieved from https://www.psychology.org.au/Assets/Files/media_position_paper.pdf
