NCJ Number
149742
Date Published
1990
Length
44 pages
Annotation
The Violence Profile measures the frequency and rate of violent representations in network television drama, including any overt act or threat to kill or hurt a person, both in realistic or fantasy situations.
Abstract
This report covers the period between 1967 and 1989. The analysis found that the pattern of television violence has remained very consistent over time, reflecting TV's stable and robust institutional position in American society. More than 70 percent of prime-time television programs use violence; this statistic has remained constant over the 22 years since this project was initiated. The rate of violent acts in prime time remained between 5 and 6 incidents per hour. About half of all prime-time television characters commit violent acts, including 10 percent who commit murder. Children's weekend daytime programming remains very violent. In each of the three most recent television seasons included in this report, children were entertained with more than 25 acts of humorous violence per hour, committed by more than 7 out of 10 characters in 9 out of 10 programs. 14 tables, 4 figures, and 30 references