Does violence in the media effect peoples behaviours and opinions?
Contents:
* Introduction: page 3
* Context: page 3
* Methodology: page 4
* Evidence: page 6
* Evaluation: page 13
* Conclusion: page 14
Introduction:
Violence in the Media has often been criticised for influencing the youth generations to commit more crimes of a violent nature. The ground for these claims is the mass increase in the number of violent programmes shown on television.
I intend to study the Media and its effects on violence. This interests me as the Media is portrayed as the sole perpetrator of youth violence and I my study will see whether or not this is the case. This will be a great interest to sociologists and society as a whole as it will any other sources which may relate to crime, such as high rates of unemployment, poor educational facilities and such.
The aim of my study is to research people's opinions regarding whether TV violence causes an increase in violent crimes. I also intend to study whether or not these opinions change between younger and older generations and also if parenthood affects people's opinions.
To research these aims, I am going to construct and distribute a questionnaire. The reason for doing such is that they are cheap to design and distribute and they collect a large amount of data from a large sample size.
In my study I am going to use several sources to ground my background research upon. Firstly, I am going research Bandura's Bobo doll study that found a link between violence in television and aggressive acts towards toys. Also I am going to research
Context:
There are several underlying theories and research findings that I must be aware of when planning my study. The Hypodermic syringe model is an example of such a theory. This theory sees the media as like 'an injection into the veins of the audience'. Most of this models research has been directed on the effects of the cinema on children.
This model has been influential as it draws upon pre-existing social ideas about changing family values and less sense of belonging after industrialisation. This made people, especially the young highly susceptible to the effects of media violence. This model is also useful as it agreed with the long-standing view 'that all human behaviour was a conditioned reflex to a stimulus' This model showed that social behaviour can be effected by the surrounding social environment.
However this model assumes that all audiences are passive recipients and have no control whether they are manipulated or not. This is far from the truth, the media do indeed influence peoples view and actions but the interaction is far more complex than the Hypodermic Syringe Model suggests. This model has also been criticised for having a 'very narrow view of the medias audience', therefore any results obtained can hardly be generalisable for the entire audience.
The Two Step Flow model however suggests that our family and friends influence us more than the media because of the fact that friends and family are more direct in helping us to form opinions and regulate our opinions. This argues against the view that the hypodermic model suggests
The Two Step Flow model does suggest however that the media do have an influence over people but in a different regard than previously thought. This model suggests that the friends and family of a person were more likely to be effected by the media. They then transmit the medias norms and values to others. This system is therefore a Two Step system hence the theories name.
However, as with the Hypodermic Syringe model, the audience are not passive recipients. Instead the Two Step Flow model suggests that the 'opinion leader', the friends and family, can decide whether or not people and the level at which people are exposed. However, 'opinion leaders' found that their decisions where based on a number of factors other than what the media influences. This model differentiates itself from the Hypodermic models as this Two Step Flow model showed the complexity and importance of social interactions and how they can change and this affects their own response to medias influence in a group.
However this model has been criticised as it separates the audience into 2 factions, the active and the passive audience. It has also been criticised for simplifying the process within which media influences occur. It has been quoted that 'the process of media influence may be 3,4,5, or more step process'. The most damming criticism is that it does not 'stress the importance of political and economic situations'.
The Cultural Effects Theory develops the ideas of those presented in the Two Step Flow Model to a greater extent. These suggest that the media effects are not instantaneous, but are a slow build up of beliefs and values, 'much like bringing a kettle to boil'. They believe that in order to understand the relationship between the media and wider society, researchers must look at the content and the messages involved in the media. Specifically, how stereotypes are constructed and maintained in medias such as film and magazines,
They suggest that the medias influence is largely dependent on the social situation they are in. These theorists assess the content of the media in terms of their social class and age references. This theory aims to combine the ways in which 'meanings are created by the media and the way in which these relate differently to the culture if particular social groups.
(Bandura's Bobo doll study & other psychological studies).
Methodology:
Design:
During my research project I am going to be using the questionnaire method to be collecting my data. This is where I will design and produce a question including both open questions where respondents can expand and explain their answers and also closed multiple choice questions. The method I have chosen is highly positivist, which aims to provide highly reliable quantitative data that can be collected again if the procedure was repeated. However there are some qualitative portions in my study, this means that ...
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(Bandura's Bobo doll study & other psychological studies).
Methodology:
Design:
During my research project I am going to be using the questionnaire method to be collecting my data. This is where I will design and produce a question including both open questions where respondents can expand and explain their answers and also closed multiple choice questions. The method I have chosen is highly positivist, which aims to provide highly reliable quantitative data that can be collected again if the procedure was repeated. However there are some qualitative portions in my study, this means that my questionnaires will collect some qualitative data, this means that the research will also looks at peoples beliefs regarding media violence.
The reason for this layout in my research is because my questionnaire will collect both quantitative statistical data and the meanings and beliefs often expressed by collecting qualitative data. This is of useful towards my study as it provides both forms of data, thus making any conclusions I make more valid and truer of the whole target population.
The advantages of using a questionnaire are plenty. Firstly, there are relatively quick to design test and produce when compared to other methods such as interviews or participant observation. Another advantage is that the questionnaire is quick and easy to distribute, usually by post in a self-addressed envelope. This means that the questionnaire can be posted through the door of a respondent and they will fill it in and return it whilst the researcher is handing out more questionnaires. In effect this means a far larger sample size can be used as it takes less time to collect data from each participant. Also, as the questionnaires layout is mostly quantitative, the results will be easier to analyse and correlate, as they are multiple-choice questions. Finally, the questionnaire is also relatively cheap as the time spent designing and handing out the questionnaires is much less than the time taken to design an interview.
However there are many disadvantages regarding the use of questionnaire, the main being a low response rate of around 40%, this means their may be a vital view or belief missing from the research, as their many only be a certain type of person who fills in a questionnaire, e.g. students, retired people as both groups have large amounts of free time where as full time employees don't have this time. Also the data that I collected maybe highly biased towards particular groups of people.
The second major disadvantage is that once handed out, the researcher moves on to hand out the next questionnaire. This means that if a respondent doesn't fully understand the question then they cannot ask the researcher any queries they maybe having and thus reduce the validity of the data collected, as they would give incorrect or incomplete answers.
(Participant observations +ies & -ives)
(Interview +ies & -ives)
Sampling:
I used opportunity sampling to collect the participants. This is because it would provide a large sample size of willing participants relatively quickly.
However the sample I selected may not be representative due to the personal preference for those I asked. Also the participants that chose to take part in the study were all middle class teenage students aged 16-18 all attending the same Sixth Form. Therefore the data collected maybe highly biased towards a particular social group.
Ethical Issues:
There are several ethical issues I should be aware of. I must gain informed consent from all the participants to take part in the study and importantly that they fully understand the study. I must also ensure that all the data remains confidential. To ensure this, the participants will not be asked for their name and the data will not be shared with other researchers.
Finally protection of participants may become a serious issue. This is because I am asking personal questions about people's beliefs on the media and its effects. This may cause them to relive dramatic and distressing experiences when watching scenes that had watched in the news or films previously.
However, debriefing the respondents afterwards, warning them of the minimal risks beforehand and offering them the chance to withdraw themselves or their results at anytime should avoid this issue.
Briefing:
Due to the terms of the Sociological Ethical Guidelines, I must inform you all that are you undertaking this study voluntarily and as such you are welcome to leave the experiment at any time.
Also all the data that is collected in this study is completely confidential. You will not have to state your name and we will not share your information with other researchers or institutions.
Debriefing
This study has been conducting how violence in the media and how it affects people's behaviours and opinions. The reason this study was conducted as it will provide valuable insights into television censorship, with the aims of reducing violent crimes that may have been influenced and caused by violent programmes broadcast in the media.
During the study you have all completed a questionnaire that focuses on the number of hours of television you watch, the types of programmes you like watching and your views about television in general. The questionnaire has also focused on how you personally believe violence in the media affects your lives and any changes you have made to avoid violent and unpleasant scenes.
We are expecting to find that the younger generations will not be off-put or disturbed by violent images in the media. I expect to find that it will be the older generations (such as parents and grandparents) who feel less at ease when confronted with violent images. I believe this will be the case as in the era they were raised in will have a less liberal and open and will not talk about violence to the children. When they finally do encounter violence in the media, it comes as a dramatic and disturbing shock.
Thank you for your time
Evidence:
These are the following aims of my study that the following questions researched:
* To research people's opinions regarding whether TV violence causes an increase in violent crimes.
* To study whether or not these opinions change between younger and older generations and also if parenthood affects people's opinions.
. Does heavy TV viewing make you more aggressive and irritable?
This question is linked to aim 1 as it provides insights into whether people believe media violence increases the number of violent crimes committed. This is because it has been found that increased arousal and aggression lead to more crimes committed.
The graph above shows that a proportionately higher number of participants are not aroused or feel aggressive when watching violent films. This suggests that those who watch violent media are highly unlikely to commit a crime based on the effects of the media alone according to this finding.
2. Has TV ever influenced your actions or mood before?
This is related to the aim 1 as psychologists have suggested that people may mimic TV and film characters behaviour. This is especially true if they are rewarded on TV for their actions regardless of its moral purpose.
The graph above shows, there are a significantly higher number of participants that do not mimic actions of their on screen 'icons'. Those that do mimic their actions only do so on an occasional basis. This suggests that those who watch violent media possibly are only influenced to mimic the actions by external factors such as peer pressure.
3. Do you think violence is linked to aggression?
This is linked to aim 1, which is to research people's opinions regarding whether TV violence causes an increase in aggression. This may affect violent crime rates as it has been found increased aggression increases the likelihood of committing a crime. It also encourages respondents explain the reasoning behind their views.
The graph above shows that 3 times the number of number of participants believed TV violence only has a partial effect, mainly to those who are heavy TV users. The graph above also shows that respondent's answers tended to be split into two groups. 8 respondents believed media violence is linked to aggression, as an extract from a participant's response highlights 'Yes as small children have role models on TV and imitate them'. 5 respondents held the view that partially believed media violence is linked to aggression as the example shows 'media violence may mostly only effect small children'.
Both extracts suggest that only young children or adolescents behave aggressively as a result of TV violence. The first extract suggests that children imitate aggressive behaviour as they see their role model behaving in an aggressive matter and they may therefore assume this is an acceptable trait in society.
4. What do you think is the reason for increasing crime rates in today's societies?
Although this question is not directly linked to the aims, it was designed to collect data regarding people's general views on the causes of crime before I focus on the medias effects on crime rates and violent behaviour.
These are two extracts from respondent's answers. 'Young people trying to be like their heroes in violent films'. The second extract is 'pressure on people to rebel and gain a sense of belonging, maybe through crime'.
The first extract suggests that people are influenced by TV violence, but to a degree not sufficient enough to arouse a person to commit a crime. The second extract suggests is that the reason crimes are committed maybe due to peer pressure to rebel. This may lead them to commit a crime in order to become socially integrated into a group. This extract therefore blames peer pressures as the blame to increasing crime, not violence in the media as the first extract suggests.
5. Do you think that censorship and the watershed hours are a good solution for protecting children from explicit scenes & Why?
This question is directly linked to aim 1 as it promotes respondents to divulge whether they believe children are more at risk to the harms of violent media. It is also linked to aim 2 as it compares data from both parents and teenagers. Using this data we can see whether the views of parents significantly differ from those of teenagers.
The graph above shows that the majority of my sample believed watershed hours are a good solution, generally stating 'it prevents children from viewing disturbing scenes'.
What is an interesting finding is that the parents included in this questionnaire stated that the watershed hours are vital in the rearing of their children. Parent's general comments were 'it ensures that when the children are watching TV there is a guarantee will be no explicit material will be shown'. They therefore trust that their children will not be presented with explicit material until the parents feel they can cope.
The differences to the teenage respondents were that parent's watch TV based on themselves and their child. They therefore chose the programmes they watch more carefully in order to protect their children from disturbing scenes. In teenagers it is irrelevant whether any other person is present.
6. Do you think some forms of media violence have greater impact than others? (Eg real violence in the news as opposed to fantasy fictional violence in cartoons) & Why?
This question is linked to aim 1 as it researchers whether all violent programming insights the same amount of violence or if fictional violence is less damaging than real life TV violence.
Here are two extracts asking participants to explain their views 'I believe real life violence is worse as it as it has not been censored as fictional violence has. As it based in more realistic scenarios people may see it as more socially acceptable'. This suggests that real life violence is more likely to cause media violence, as it is more distressing. Fictional media violence is less likely to cause violence as the majority of distressing scenes are censored.
However all respondents do not share this view. Some of the respondents argue 'fictional violence in films is shown more explicitly & in greater depth'.
7. How far do you agree with the view that increasing violent scenes in the media are responsible for increasing in violent crimes?
This question is directly linked to aim 1 as it studies whether respondents believe media violence is the main attributor to increasing violent crimes in society.
The graph above shows the number of participants. The number represents the severity to which they agree with the question (10 highly agree, 1 highly disagree). The graph shows the majority of respondents strongly agree with the view that increasing violent scenes in the media are responsible for increasing in violent crimes. This proves that the general public believe media violence is the sole factor, or a casual factor of violent crimes.
8. Do you think having children of your own has/will influenced how you monitor the types of programme you watch?
This question is directly linked to aim 1, as respondents are encouraged to explain whether they believe children are more susceptible to the harms of violent media. It is also linked to aim 2 as it compares data from both parents and teenagers. Using this data we can see whether the views of parents significantly differ from those of teenagers.
The graph above shows that the majority of my sample have or will with the onset of children change their viewing habits to protect their children from viewing disturbing scenes.
When collecting the data an unexpected trend appeared. Teenage participants all stated that they will change their viewing habits to protect their children when children our born. However this was not the case for parents. Only half the number parents altered their viewing. However this may not show that they disregard their children's well being. It may also be that fact that they find it hard to break out of there viewing habits. It may also be a case of the child maybe in bed when the parents watching TV anyway, so they will not be effected by TV violence.
9. How far do you agree with the view that parents should view films first to check content before allowing children to watch them & Why?
This is to aim 2 as it researchers the differences of child rearing views between parents between parents and teenagers. It is also linked to aim 1 as distressing scenes may cause violence to the learnt as socially acceptable behaviour.
As the graph shows, the majority only half agrees with statement. This suggests they believe it is an important factor, but these other more important factors. A respondent who gave 3/10 (highly supportive) argues 'it gives parents the ability to make an informed choice on what children watch'. However this view is not fully supported by my participants, a participant who gave (7/10) argued 'it may not have an influence on older children as if their parents ban it, they would be more likely to watch it'.
This would have a drastic effect on violence they commit. If violent media were banned, they would be more aroused if they see as it. This means that they associate violence with arousal and may lead them to commit violent crime themselves.
0. Do you believe if violent offenders on TV are punished then it will reduce real life instances of violence?
This question is directly linked to aim 1 as it has been found that if violent offenders are punished on TV, then viewers place a higher risk factor on committing a crime. This therefore encourages criminals to not commit crimes, as the perceived chance of getting caught is greater.
The graph above shows that nearly 3 times the number of number of participants believed punishment on TV violence will have little or no effect on crime. This maybe due to the fact that people may not strongly associate with the criminals. Therefore the warning that is implied by being punished may not be fully absorbed. This will therefore only have a slight effect on society.
1. How far do you agree with the statement that if viewers watch large amounts of violence, they become desensitised to their effects (i.e. its effects are lost and they loose their anxiety about viewing violence). They therefore became less aroused and less likely to engage in real life violence themselves.
This question is linked to aim 1 as it researches whether people became desensitised (whereby media violence no longer arouses the viewer) and therefore less likely to commit a crime.
2. Due to the large amount of violence presented in the media suggests violence is a normal social characteristic?
Evaluation:
The results that I have collected are useful as they have both support and criticised previously held sociological ideas. Firstly my results support the idea that parents and children hold differing views regarding television violence. Children tend to see Media violence as exciting, parents usually are cautious as they do not wish their children to be susceptible to disturbing images such as described in the Hypodermic Syringe model.
The data I have collected bodes in favour of the background research and previous sociological thinking. It is highly supportive of the two step flow model, as this research found that other causes such as peer pressure, families social characteristic and the norms and values of comtempory society are all important factors when analysing the effect of media violence on crime rates.
However, my results are also critical of the background research I have collected. The research that I have collected largely shows that there is a difference in views and the actions they employs to prevent the effects of media violence on children between parents and teenagers. Previous research suggested that parents would have stronger views than that of teenagers as they value the protection of their own children as opposed to teenagers theorising about having children and the depth to which they wish to protect them.
This maybe due to the fact that there is increasingly little time for parents to maintain a constant watch over the children. This may be proven in the fact that the background studies that were used are around 10 years old. This may of not picked up on this fact.
However this study has several areas that could be improved upon. The sample of the experiment only incorporated a shallow majority of the target population. As the effects of media violence are applicable to potentially everybody who watches it, then the target group is everybody. However, this sample only selected those middle class, middle-aged professional adults with children around 10 years old, and middle class teenagers still involved in full time education. This means that the data collected will be highly biased towards these groups and other group's opinions will not be recorded. This makes the study quiet invalid as it ignores a large aspect of the target population.
In a further study I will research the effects of media violence between different class groups and whether media violence affects the children's opinions on society and violence.
In this study a questionnaire method was employed. This has proved to beneficial, as it has allowed a large sample to be studied relatively cheaply as quickly as time consuming interviews don't have to be employed. This method was also useful as it allowed both qualitative and quantitative data to be collected. This is therefore a positivist approach as both numerical and opinion data is collected.
This means that the data collect is both valid as people's beliefs are expressed. It is also reliable as the quantatative data is collected from a large source of respondents. As the data is numerical, the data cannot be misinterpreted. These factors are of great importance as it means that the data collected is an accurate description of the target population's beliefs.
However this method also has its faults. As there was a large amount of qualitative questions that allowed participants to write about a particular point, many questionnaires were returned incomplete, despite being asked to attempt every question. This coupled with a low response rate meant, that analysing the data has proven difficult trying to compare similarities and differences in opinions.
Conclusion:
Previous research suggested that parents would have stronger views than that of teenagers as they value the protection of their own children. This was opposed to teenagers theorising about having children and the depth to which they wish to protect them. However this study found teenagers had a higher priority over protecting children from harms of the media violence. This strongly rejects previous studies.
This maybe due to the fact that there is increasingly little time for parents to maintain a constant watch over the children. Due to pressures of modern society & the greater number of working mums. Parents therefore realise the difficulties in maintain both a working life and a suitable environment for which the child can grow up and develop in.
Teenagers may underestimate this and therefore perceive a greater amount of time to dedicate to the protection of their children against violent media.
This therefore implies that although the results show teenagers place more value in protecting the children from harm, this is not the case in real life. Due to pressures unbeknown to teenagers, the time they wish to spend protecting children is impossible. In reality. Parents and teenagers both place high values on protecting children, and therefore society from media violence.
Jonathan Gurney
