Violence, Sex and Other Things Essay

.....media contribute to violence?



Some research has shown that the media contributes to the emergence and exhibition of violent behavior in young people, or at least the desensitization to violence. The American Psychological Association summarizes the body of literature and claims that at the very least, extensive exposure to violent imagery can desensitize a child to violence ("Television and Video Violence," n.d.). Other research may reveal a more causal relationship between exposure to violence in the media and violent behavior. For example, a meta-analysis of 15 different studies has shown "evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior," (Kaplan, 2012). This does not mean that all people who are exposed to media violence will exhibit violent behavior or aggression, but that care must be taken when children are exposed to violence in video games, television, or other media.



When children are exposed to violence, as they inevitably will be, parents and other adult mentors need to be honest and open about the imagery. Instead of allowing the child to distort reality, mistaking what they see on the television with real life, parental engagement can help the child to distinguish between violent imagery and real violence. Some children may also be prone to aggression and violent behavior because of their personality or neurophysiology. Those children might also need targeted interventions that prevent violence, especially if they have been exposed to violence in the media.



It is impossible to eliminate all forms of violent media. The culture is replete with violent imagery, and the news media actually contains as much violent imagery as fiction media. To prevent problems from developing, adults need to limit exposure, and also to talk with children about what they are seeing to develop empathy and pro-social behaviors.



References



Kaplan, A. (2012). Violence in the Media: What Effects on Behavior? Psychiatric Times. Retrieved online: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/child-adolescent-psychiatry/violence-media-what-effects-behavior



"Television and Video Violence," (n.d.). APA. Retrieved online: http://www.apa.org/action/resources/research-in-action/protect.aspx



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