Measuring Violence on Television

• NCJ Number: 117286
• Journal: Current Psychology Research and Reviews Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1988) Pages: 10-25
• Author(s): G Cumberbatch; I Jones; L Matthew
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Best Practice/State-of-the-Art Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This review of research on television violence in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Western countries concludes that, while much data exists, the findings vary considerably depending on the definition of violence and sampling periods.

Abstract

After summarizing the cultural indicators project designed by George Gerbner in the late 1960s, the paper reports that studies using Gerbner's methodology are more easily compared. These studies point to rates of around 5-6 violent acts per hour on prime time television in most countries. Investigations into television violence conducted in Sweden, Great Britain, Canada, Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, New Zealand, and Australia are discussed. An overview of trends in the United States reveals that empirical research does not support concerns about increasing television violence. The paper also notes that the rate of violence in British television is considerably lower than the 5-6 act per hour rate and appears to be declining. Tables and approximately 40 references. (author abstract modified)