NCJ Number
100753
Date Published
1986
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Research exploring the relationship between television programming and aggression, violence, and crime is examined in terms of methodology and substantive, empirically supported conclusions.
Abstract
Two major Federal reports, based on a review of research, have suggested that a causal relationship exists between television and violence. However, evaluations of these reports have warned against drawing policy implications from such research because of methodological shortcomings. For instance, survey studies can show correlations between two factors but do not permit conclusions of causality. Experimental studies' generalizability is limited by the use of controlled conditions which vary from actual conditions. Because of these limitations, researchers have turned to two other approaches for studying media effects in natural settings. The first, longitudinal panel surveys, measures interactions between television viewing and aggressive behavior among the same people over time. Time-series studies examine whether particular events on television are related to fluctuations in broad-based social statistics, such as those on homicide or automobile accidents. While such studies tend to show some correlations between viewing violent television shows and behaving aggressively, results have been ambiguous, and the influence of other factors is unknown. Thus, more research is needed to verify the common belief in television's impact on violence. 5 discussion questions and 5 references.