Media and Antisocial Behaivor: Violence

“Antisocial behavior is contrary to prevailing norms for social conduct. That includes unlawful actions, such as murder, hate crimes, rape, and drug abuse, as well as behaviors that many members of society find objectionable even if that are not illegal, such as drunkenness and sexual promiscuity” (Davenport, Straubhaar, and LaRose 2008).

When flipping through the channels on the television I’m never surprised when I see any type of violence, whether it be a movie, TV series, or even a cartoon. Violence is all over the media. Researchers have said that many have been affected negatively by the promotion of violence even if its intentions were not trying to promote it.

I think children especially are affected by violence that is seen on TV because they have trouble distinguishing between the real world and what’s on TV (Davenport 2008). Children will reenact what they see on TV without realizing what serious consequences can happen.  Studies by researchers have shown that children who watch violent shows on the media are affected by it and are more likely to lash out in acts of violence. While children are growing they learn from what they see and what they are exposed to. So if they are constantly watching their favorite cartoon actor hitting someone when they get angry the chances of them doing the same is very good.  

Video games of course are a form of media that has encouraged antisocial behaviors. It has been said that playing video games and thinking about participating in violent behaviors is stimulated from the same part of the brain. Therefore, video games can be training the brain for acts of violence that a child or individual could actually do.

Although there is a lot of negativity talked about with the media and its promotion of violence, some see it from another point of view. There are those who look at violence in the media as a learning lesson and a way to teach children and people the consequences of violent actions. Some people think that if children are exposed to the consequences that a “bad guy” gets even if it involves violence it is teaching them a lesson on what they should not do.

As you can see like most issues there are two sides to every story. With the issue of violence in the media there is one side that sees it as a negative thing for people and children to be exposed to. And the other side sees it as a learning lesson.

What do you think?