NCJ Number
142518
Date Published
1972
Length
44 pages
Annotation
A pilot study was conducted to determine the effects of violent television viewing on attitudes towards violence of youthful offenders.
Abstract
Fifty-four male inmates, between the ages of 18 and 25, housed in the Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee, Florida, were divided into three groups. Group NV, which viewed only nonviolent shows, and Group V, which viewed only violent shows, completed the attitude measure both at the beginning of the experiment and after viewing their particular shows. Group C, which was shown violent content, completed the attitude measure only after viewing the programs. The scores supported the hypothesis that repeated exposure to violent television shows is related to attitude changes that favor violent, or assaultive, behavior. While all the subjects involved in this experiment had shown some deviant behaviors previously, they were differentially affected by the experimental treatments. Future research should explore the issues of whether individuals who repeatedly watch violent programs acquire implied norms for violence and whether television is a prime factor in creating a social sanction for that violence. 7 tables, 4 figures, 3 appendixes, and 98 references