Can Media Inspire Violent Crimes
Can Media Inspire Violent CrimesOne problem that many corporations ignore is the possibility that
aggressive type people seek reinforcement for their own destructive acts, either
against themselves or other people. Television violence, for instance, and the
widespread public concern accompanying it have led to calls for strict controls
on the depiction of violent programs.
In their decision making, some producers do not take responsibility for the
equally important minority. Instead, they may gear their content toward the
masses, who crave sexually explicit and violent action. Fortunately, this group
has the ability to disseminate violent action rationally, realizing that in
reality, people who commit acts of violence have to compensate for their actions
by taking full responsibility for the harm they cause others.
Not everyone can distinguish fact from fantasy. Not only is it the
irrational people who commit the crimes in our country, but our own children who
may errantly be learning from day one that nothing bad will happen to them if
they shoot their brother in the head with Daddy’s pistol.
Studies show that in one week of content analysis of prime-time output on
seven New York City channels, there were 3,421 acts and threats of violence
observed. Children’s fictional entertainment programs had three times the
frequency of violent acts or threats recorded in adult programs. (Gunter,
p.13). many of these acts were committed without any compensation for the
action without responsibility, then it must be acceptable behavior. Similarly,
aggressive adults are seeking reinforcement for their own anti-social behavior
from seeing attractive television characters behave in the same way.
Behavioral evidence has indicated that the anti-social effects of violent
television portrayals are strongest and are most likely to occur among
individuals who are already aggressive. (Palmer, p. 10).
The ethical question is, should television submit to mass appeal or...
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