NCJ Number
109594
Date Published
Unknown
Length
87 pages
Annotation
This Australian study conducted a scene-by-scene content analysis of 58 'popular' videos to determine the amount of sex, violence, and sexual violence contained in them as well as their explicitness and severity.
Abstract
Ten of the videos were rated PG (parental guidance), 11 were rated M (mature), 19 were rated R (restricted to persons over 17 unless accompanied by parents), 15 were rated X, and 3 had been refused classification by the Film Censorship Board. Overall, the findings indicate videotape adherence to censorship guidelines. The study also reveals that the popular perception that X-rated videos are more socially harmful than R-rated videos is not supported, since the R-rated videos contained more scenes of aggression and violence. The study concludes that Australian society is more accepting of filmed aggression and violence than of filmed sexual activity, and it is willing to expose young people to large amounts of filmed violence. The study briefly reviews research pertaining to the behavioral effects of explicit media portrayals of violence and sex. Appended details of study methodology and 28 notes.