Why We Enjoy Media Violence: A Reversal Theory Approach

• NCJ Number: 150874
• Author(s): M J Apter
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 25 pages
• Corporate Author: Yale University
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Conference Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: This paper was presented at the International Conference on Violence in the Media: Prospects for Change, held on October 3-4, 1994, in New York City. The conference was sponsored by St. John's University.

Annotation

The reasons for people's fascination with media violence are explored.

Abstract

This paper promotes reversal theory of motivation and the emotions to explain the phenomenon of the enjoyment of negative emotions and the situations which give rise to them. Among the many paradoxes of human emotion and motivation which it explains is the paradox of the enjoyment of "bad things." The author claims that without the understanding provided by this theory, the psychological effect of exposure to violence in the media might not be solvable. Based on his analysis, the focus of much of the research on media violence, i.e., whether observational learning in the form of imitation plays a role in the generation of violent behavior, fails to consider the possibility that media violence may work on at least some people's minds in another subtle but powerful way. Media violence can be thrilling for the viewer. Most people, when confronted with the possibility of real violence, lose the protective frame of detachment provided by observation from a distance and the desire to be involved in aggressive activity. For some people, there may be a carryover effect into real life through classical conditioning--perhaps through the repeated linking of violent situations to the protective frame, as will tend to occur when violence is experienced regularly through mass media. This is somewhat akin to the therapeutic technique of systematic desensitization. Why this effect appears to occur in some people and not others gives rise to questions for future research. The author warns that if society chooses to cut down on the amount of violence shown on television, the availability of other strong sources of media stimulation and parapathic emotion and/or increased resources for exciting activities in the community such as midnight basketball should be considered. The best alternative, the author notes, is to stimulate youth to pursue intellectual endeavors as a source of excitement, perhaps by using the mass media to engage them. 11 references, 2 figures