Media Violence Does Not Cause Societal Violence (From Violence: Opposing Viewpoints, P 70-78, 1996, David Bender, et al, eds. -- See NCJ-159343)

• NCJ Number: 159351
• Author(s): T Gitlin
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 9 pages
• Sale Source: Greenhaven Press
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Opposing Viewpoints Series

Annotation

Available evidence indicates that no more than a few "impressionable" people are influenced to commit violent acts by media violence.

Abstract

The link between media violence and street violence is weak, despite many studies that indicate television violence reinforces the tendency toward aggression. The issue is how much real-life violence can be blamed on the media. Media violence contributes to a climate in which violence is legitimate but media violence is not an urgent social problem. Violence on the screen does not make a significant contribution to violence on the streets. Instead, violence may result from a culture that disrespects authority and is disposed to aggression. The absence of legitimate parental authority also feeds a culture of aggression. The symbolic crusade against media violence is viewed as a confession of despair. First amendment issues associated with efforts to control media violence are considered, and the distinction between exposure to violence and the occurrence of real-life violence is emphasized.