Media violence and society

The influence of media is characterized by theories rough how mass media shape a persons doings and thinking. The development of media is further evidenced by the emergence of the Internet and DVDs, which sophisticated the way an individual(a) receives information from media worldwide (Curran and Seaton, 1988).The most well-known premises about the influence of media on the society are those related to theories having a passive audience. An example of this theory is the hypodermic needle model, which compares media with an intravenous injection, with the media substance world the enumerate transferred. The explanation is that the information universe transmitted by media is voluntarily and obediently received by the audience. This, however, is still dependent on the interfering factors that changes the way an individual perceives the message (Weaver and Carter, 2006).Another example is the inoculation model, which induces a long-term influence on people by making them resistan t or immune to the message conveyed by the media. Here, a person becomes somewhat desensitized by a vehement film for example, making him able to tolerate the same degree of violence at a time brushwooded again (Curran and Seaton, 1988).Different theories have different fall backs and limitations but nevertheless, they can help explain how media influences the attitude of an audience. The theory that violent media result to violence on the part of the audience, especially the younger bingles, is also deficient of a logical scientific foundation. This is the main reason why it is regarded more as a possibleness rather than a theory (Potter, 1999).Whether or not violent media has bad influences on the society is an argument usually raised when media effect are being taken into consideration. This has also been used widely as a topic on debates, with the usual premise that violent media indeed have bad effects on its audience, which in fact is true.This argument is supported by galore(postnominal) researches which relate the media of violent nature to the belligerency and obnoxious behavior of viewers or listeners, especially the younger generations. A study was done using an inflatable clown which was introduced to two groups of children. One group was accompanied by an adult who unattended the clown and settled playing with the other toys. The children also ended up playing quietly and calmly with the toys other than the clown.The other crowd was grouped unneurotic with an adult who executed several aggressive moves on the inflatable clown, such as kicking and punching. The children imitated the moves done by the aggressive adult onto the clown when odd alone with the toys. This can be related to the effect of media since the children can see and consequently imitate the actions of the adults (MAN, 2007).Another study was done after the release of the word-painting A Clockwork Orange in 1971. The lead role in the film, which also depicts a hero, was both woman-beater and a rapist. The film ended up a tilt when gangs started to copy the character of the lead actor, resulting into many rape and death cases. The director, Stanley Kubrick, was also very sorry that he directed the violent word-painting.He banned the movie to prevent further criminal cases and for his familys protection against death threats since he was being held partially accountable for the incidences. These are just a few examples that violent movies are being imitated by the audience (Barker and Petley, 1997).A research was performed in 1956 to demonstrate the effect of violent media in 24 children. A dozen watched a violent episode of Woody Woodpecker, while the other half watched a non-violent one entitled The Little Red Hen. When the children were observed during playtime after watching TV, those who watched the violent show were the ones most likely to fight with each other and smash their toys (Potter, 1999).In 1963, three professors conducted a study which involved 100 children to fancy the effects of violence in concreteity, television, and cartoons on the subjects behavior. The entire population was divided into four, wherein the first group was allowed to witness a real adult shouting at an inflatable doll while at the same time beating it with a toy hammer. The second twenty five preschool children were shown the same concomitant on TV, while the third group was allowed to watch a cartoon showing the same event.The fourth was group served as the control, and did not watch any. All the groups were wherefore opened to annoying circumstances. All the first three groups exhibited a significantly higher level of aggressiveness as compared to those who were in the fourth group. The group that watched the incident on TV was as violent and aggressive as those who watched it in the real scenario (Curran and Seaton, 1998).The Kaiser Family Foundation likewise conducted a study in 2003 showing that 47 per cent of parents have repor ted that their children have, at one point in their lives, have mimicked the violent actions portrayed by a character on TV. However, the institution reported that children are still more inclined to imitating the positive behaviors they observed. The violence in cartoons, which is commonly characterized by the use of bomb, guns, and deformed bodies, can make children view that a person can not be hurt by such violent actions which can cause death and accidents when done in the real world.Furthermore, children often imitate the actions of their super heroes as seen on cartoons and other TV shows. They sort of internalize what they see and formulate their own script which they would resort into when they encounter trouble or something harsh, making violence a way to solve problems (Healthyminds.org, 2007).Due to the negative psychological effects of animated shows on the target viewers, many cartoons were censored and animators protested because their creations eventually became bo ring. They stated that many children who watch such cartoons are not negatively affected in terms of attitude and behavior, and that no scientific evidence was established to link the negative behavior of the audience to the violent media (Barker and Petley, 1997).The majority is being considered in all cases of violent media effects, and it should always be remembered that the subconscious of the audience can still be influenced, regardless of the subjects age, inert attitude and personality, and moral beliefs (Weaver and carter, 2006).It is a fact that even adults can be negatively influenced by violence in media. News containing violent reports can be exaggerated in the delivery of information. This can lead to the people being scared and overreacting to the reported situation, which they can also associate to whatever it is that is happening in their immediate environment. They might feel unsafe even if they are protected (Barker and Petley, 1997).It should always be remembered that parental guidance is an important factor that can alter an individuals, especially a childs, perception of violent media. This preventative can significantly lessen the effects of violent media on society. This should have a stronger influence on the audience than the violent media itself. With all the researches and studies mentioned, it can be concluded that violent media indeed has bad influences on the society. This is particularly true to children and adolescents who received less guidance from their parents during their childhood.Violent media can cause psychological disturbances and aggressiveness in people when faced with frustrating and provoking situations. It can also mold children to be destructive when they grow up. As true as on that point are people who remain unaffected by violent media, majority can be said to agree with the premise since each and every one in the society, regardless of personality and age, can be subconsciously affected by violent media in some way.Reference ListBarker, M. and J. Petley. (1997). Ill makeThe Media-Violence Debate. NY Routledge.Curran, J. & Seaton, J. (1988). Power without Responsibility. UK Press and Broadcasting.Healthyminds.org. (2007). Psychiatric Effects of Media Violence. Retrieved May 24, 2007, from .MAN. (2007). Research on the effects of media violence. Retrieved May 24, 2007, from .Potter, W. J. (1999). On Media Violence, Thousand Oaks Sage.Weaver, C. K. and C. Carter. (2006), Critical Readings Violence and the Media, Maidenhead informal University Press.