NCJ Number
101455
Date Published
1986
Length
38 pages
Annotation
This review analyzes research, conducted since 1963, into the effects of television and film violence on the antisocial and aggressive behavior of juveniles and young adults in terms of its external validity, implications, and size of effect.
Abstract
A large majority of studies have recorded a positive association between exposure to media violence and aggressive and antisocial behavior, despite variations in subject population, research design, and measures. Further, findings from laboratory studies have been supported by those from large national surveys and longitudinal field studies. Research also suggests a developmental process in which earlier television experience affects later behavior (i.e., the degree of association increases with time) and identifies four broad dimensions of media violence associated with a greater effect. These include (1) efficacy (reward or lack of punishment), (2) normativeness (justified, intentionally hurtful), (3) pertinence in terms of the commonality of cues or salience to the viewer, and (4) susceptibility (pleasure, anger, frustration, lack of criticism). Estimates of the size of the effect vary with the type of violent or antisocial behavior (4 percent to 18 percent) and or antisocial behavior (4 percent to 18 percent) and are higher for less serious forms of violent or antisocial behavior. 84 references.