Media Violence and Children

Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to explore research regarding media violence and children. Specifically, this research paper will present background information related to this topic, as well as a chronology of literature covering the psychological study of media violence and children. Current issues related to this topic are then discussed, as well as a critical analysis of the efficacy of current research surrounding the impact of media violence on children's attitudes and behaviors. Directions for future research are then provided. This paper concludes with a brief summary and an outline of key points. 

Background

Researchers (e.g., Drabman & Thomas, 1974; Heath, Bresolin & Rinaldi, 1989) have known for decades that violence in the media has a strong influence on the population. This influence is particularly strong on children, who are typically more impressionable than adults (Drabman & Thomas, 1974). Although the relationship between media violence and child behavior has been well-documented, this correlation is approaching epidemic status in Western nations (Bushman & Huesmann, 2006). The exponentially increasing number of child-targeted media outlets, such as handheld video games, phones, and tablets, has led to an alarming increase in children's exposure to violent images (Bushman & Huesmann, 2006). Some researchers (e.g., Hong, Cho, Allen-Meares & Espelage, 2011) suggest that the increasing incidence of school shootings and other forms of child violence are a direct result of this increased violent media exposure.

The role of violence in the media and children's behavior was first researched extensively in the 1970s (Heath, Bresolin & Rinaldi, 1989). In response to increasingly violent films and pop-culture television programs, early researchers (e.g., Drabman & Thomas, 1974) sought to explore the impact this media violence had on child's attitudes toward aggression. For example, Drabman and Thomas (1974) studied the relationship between media violence and tolerance to real-life aggression. In an interesting study design in which these researchers showed children a violent cowboy film and documented their behaviors through videotape, Drabman and Thomas (1974) discovered that the film directly impacted children’s behavior. Following the film, children were more tolerant of potentially violent real-life behavior before seeking help. This study was among the first to document the relationship between media violence and children's tolerance of real-life violence and provides insight into the continuing link between these two variables.

Despite increasing evidence of the relationship between media violence and children, films and television shows did not taper back on their inclusion of these behaviors in the 1970s and 1980s. As studies expanded on this topic, researchers discovered the differing effects of various forms of violence and its effects on a number of demographic variables. Heath, Bresolin, and Rinaldi (1989) conducted perhaps the first major review of the effects of media violence on children. In an analysis of more than 100 published studies, these researchers discovered a number of mediating variables that impacted children's behavior in response to media violence. Examples included gender, time of exposure, and familial history. However, these authors also noted that research was significantly lacking in terms of these mediating variables, as well as the degree to which these variables impact behavior.

Molitor and Hirsch (1994) attempted to replicate Drabman and Thomas' (1974) study and provide a current glimpse of the impact of violent media images and children's tolerance of aggression. As cowboy films would be seemingly benign by today's standards of violence, Molitor and Hisrch (1994) sought to determine if the increasingly violent images in modern media resulted in even stronger behavioral impacts. Results from this study confirmed those of Drabman and Thomas (1974). Interestingly, the degree to which these increasingly violent images shaped behavior did not increase compared to Drabman and Thomas' (1974) study. This finding suggests that children may be becoming desensitized to violence in the media, and are also becoming increasingly tolerant of violent images in mainstream media.

Current Research

Current research topics regarding media violence and children have begun to explore not only the short-term effects of these images but also the long-term impacts on children's psychological state. For example, Bushman and Huesmann (2006) conducted a seminal meta-analysis of studies examining the long-term impacts of media violence on children's levels of aggression, general behavior, feelings of anger, and physiological arousal. These researchers also sought to test the hypothesis that short-term effects of media violence would be greater for adults, while long-term effects would be greater for children. Results from this analysis demonstrated that Bushman and Huesmann's (2006) hypothesis was supported. Additionally, results revealed that violent media images have a small, but significant, effect on aggressive thoughts and behaviors, physiological arousal, and feelings of anger. Based on these results, Bushman and Huesmann (2006) suggest that the short-term effects of violent media images serve to prime psychological schemas that have been well-established in adults. Conversely, the long-term consequences of learning these schemas result in more chronic media influences in children (Bushman & Huesmann, 2006).

Gentile, Coyne, and Walsh (2011) also conducted a recent longitudinal study on the effects of violent media images in children's behavior. In an effort to advance research by investigating varying types of aggression, multiple media formats and exploring differences in two age-groups, these researchers assessed the impact of media violence on more than 400 elementary school children. Results from this study demonstrated that early exposure to different forms of media violence strongly predicted violent thoughts and aggressive behaviors at later ages. Additionally, children who reported high levels of violent media exposure were significantly more likely to display antisocial behavior and hostile attribution bias at higher grade levels (Gentile, Coyne and Walsh, 2011). The results of this study demonstrate the significant impact media has on younger children, and the chronic effect even small levels of exposure can have. 

Although research has expanded on the impact of media violence and children's behavior since its early roots, a number of questions related to this topic remain unanswered. For example, Gentile, Coyne, and Walsh (2011) note that little is known about the degree to which media violence impacts children's behavior at various ages. While numerous studies have explored this topic, the majority are correlational in nature and do not provide causal information about media violence's impact (Gentile, Coyne & Walsh, 2011). Future studies are needed that empirically investigate the relationship between various media formats and children if different ages and familial backgrounds. As Gentile, Coyne, and Walsh (2011) demonstrated, the potential consequences of even small amounts of media exposure are alarming and necessitate swift action by psychologists and individuals in the education field. 

Another area that has not been extensively researched with respect to media violence and children's behavior is the role of peer influences. According to Gentile, Coyne, and Walsh (2011), the effects of media violence may work in a cyclical fashion amongst peers, in which exposure to media violence initiates a widespread increase in violence amongst social groups. Violent behaviors may subsequently become reinforced by these groups, making it extremely difficult for psychologists, educators, and parents to intervene. Therefore, future research needs to explore risk factors in greater detail, as well as effective intervention methods for social groups.  Although interventions for such groups pose challenges for researchers, this topic still represents a pertinent need in social psychology (Gentile, Coyne & Walsh, 2011). As violence may be related to a range of moderators and mediating variables, interventions need to devise strategies for accounting for these factors and minimizing risk.

Conclusion

The purpose of this paper was to discuss the impact of media violence on children's thoughts and behaviors. Background information related to this topic was first provided, as well as a chronology of major studies examining the impact of media violence on children. Current research topics related to media violence were then discussed, as well as gaps in the literature and directions for future research. Based on the information provided in this research report, it remains clear that violent media images tend to have a strong impact on all individuals. However, this effect is particularly strong in children, and this effect can last for the entire course of children's lives. Even small levels of exposure to media violence can result in lasting hostile and aggressive behaviors. Additionally, this effect can increase rapidly when social groups begin to reinforce violent behaviors. Therefore, additional work is needed to identify early risk factors for children who may be exposed to violence in the media, as well as intervention efforts for individuals and social groups who adopt violent behaviors. Although violence is not a new concept, its increasing levels of exposure are at least partially responsible for the rise in children's behaviors. Intervening in cases of child violence poses a significant challenge for researchers, however, as a range of mediating factors influence this relationship. 

References

Bushman, B. J. & Huesmann, R. (2006). Short-term and long-term effects of violent media on aggression in children and adults. Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, 160(4), 348-352.

Drabman, R. S. & Thomas, M. H. (1974). Does media violence increase children's toleration of real-life aggression? Developmental Psychology, 19(3), 418-421.

Gentile, D. A., Coyne, S. & Walsh, D. A. (2011). Media violence, physical aggression, and relational aggression in school age children: a short-term longitudinal study. Aggressive Behavior, 37, 193-206.

Heath, L., Bresolin, L. B. & Rinaldi, R. C. (1989). Effects of media violence: a review of literature. Archives in General Psychiatry, 46(4), 376-379.

Hong, J. S., Cho, H., Allen-Meares, P. & Espelage, D. L. (2011). The social ecology of the Columbine High School shootings. Children and youth Services Review, 33(6), 861-868.

Molitor, F. & Hirsch, K. W. (1994). Children's toleration of real-life aggression after exposure to media violence: a replication of the Drabman and Thomas studies. Child Study Journal, 24(3), 191-207.