Exploring the Violence in Television and Its Effect in Childrens Essay

Exploring the Violence in Television and Its Effect in Childrens Psyche - Essay Example Violent content is 9 percent above average in children's programming, and cartoons are the most violent (Center for Communication and Social Policy, 1998). We are all aware that our daily lives are studded with different types of violence. Social psychologists have asserted that much of our behavior is learned by watching others. And what do children see on TV They are exposed to more violence. This further validates what the children have seen in the neighborhood, it makes violence such normal fare -- everyone's doing it, not just in their neighborhood, but all over world. More than the adults, it is the children that have greater propensity to imitate the things they have watched on television. For them, TV represents violence as an appropriate way to solve interpersonal problems, to get what you want out of life, avenge slight injuries and insults and make up for perceived injustices. How extreme is the problem of violence in television Does it really transmit aggressive behavior to children Does it affect their psychological health This paper will try to tackle the link of TV violence and aggression to young viewers and try to analyze what are the possible solutions that can be done to thwart the incremental effects of violence in television. Two large scale studies--the University of P... They counted the number of violent acts using the definition, "the overt expression of physical force, with or without weapon, against self or other, compelling action against one's will on pain of being hurt or killed, or actually hurting or killing" (Gerbner et al. 1978, p. 179). Furthermore, they required that the violence be plausible and credible, which rules out idle threats, verbal abuse, or comic gestures with no credible violent consequences. The violence may be intentional or accidental. In addition, violent accidents, catastrophes, and acts of nature are included. Signorielli (1990) clarified: Any act that fits the definition, regardless of conventional notions about types of violence that may have "serious" effects, is coded. This includes violence that occurs in realistic, serious, fantasy, or humorous contexts. "Accidental" violence and "acts of nature" are recorded because they are always purposeful in fiction, claim victims, and demonstrate power (p. 89). On the other hand, the NTVS (1996) analyzed more than 10,000 hours of television programming across 23 channels over 3 years using the definition of violence as: An overt depiction of a credible threat of physical force or the actual use of such force intended to physically harm an animate being or group of beings. Violence also includes certain depictions of physically harmful consequences against an animate being or group that occur as a result of unseen violent means (p. 1-48). Their interpretation of violence in media messages is based more on harm to viewers than on harm to media characters. It is known that a very small percentage of violent