NCJ Number
70434
Date Published
1980
Length
349 pages
Annotation
An overview of the methods and results of literature on the relationship between violence and the mass media, as well as a bibliography of literature in German and English relating to violence and crime in mass media covering the period 1901 to 1980 are presented.
Abstract
Discussions of media influence over the last 30 years assume 1) that the average media fare is more violent that acceptable to social norms, and 2) that violent programs increase the likelihood of violent behavior among viewers and readers. Although both assumptions seem credible, problems of methods and definition make it difficult to reach definite conclusion from the literature to date. Experiments with artificial environments cannot document real media effects. Field studies cannot ascertain whether exposure to violent materials induces aggressiveness or whether aggressive persons are drawn to such material. Only recent statistical evaluations make accurate assessments of possible effects. Moreover, the definition of aggressive behavior varies widely. Several hypotheses attempt to explain the relationship between media violence and individuals affected. The stimulation model assumes that media violence encourages aggressive behavior, while the catharsis model maintains that media violence provides a release for individuals' inborn violence. The arousal model holds that media violence excites individuals emotionally; and the habituation model proposes that media violence desensitizes people. On the whole, negative effects of media, television in particular, have only been verified for individuals who were experimentally frustrated before and after media exposure. It is questionable whether such situations are realistic for average media consumers. Further research may well establish that other elements of the social environment are considerably more influential in inducing violence than mass media. A list of references for the study is supplied. The extensive bibliography contains monographs, dissertations, and journal articles ordered by author. Thematic areas covered include representations of violence in mass media, television brutality, police and crime representations, crime and court reporting, media manhunts, unsolved crimes, police public relations work, crime films, mystery literature, and research on effects. A total of 1383 entries comprise the bibliography. A subject index is appended. --in German.