Violence and Media

Summarized is research, primarily from the United States, arguing that violent content in mass media has small but significant impact on real-world violence. Three forms of effects, learning of aggressive attitudes and behaviors, desensitization, and cultivation of fear, are discussed, as are three theoretical models - Bandura's social learning theory, Berkowitz's priming effects theory, and Heusmann's social developmental model - for such effects. Contextual factors in effects, and the special nature of child audiences are discussed. Recent research on television content is presented, and public policy alternatives are suggested.