Do television depictions of violence have a direct influence on society?

Question

We learn from what we see and hear as children. Even educational programs are based on the "hear/see/say or do" method. Does it continue to function in adults? Consider advertising. We are heavily influenced by products we are told that we need to have. Couldn't violence work the same way?

Answer 1

i think that there is acorelation between tv violence and real life violence. if kids are not taught ifferently they think that they can do it to.

Answer 2

I think it goes the other way around. I think the television depiction is directly influenced by society. If society turned away from these things, so would the media.

I am not influenced by products that I am told to I need to have. I have my own free choice and I choose to buy what I want, not what I am told. I watch programs that are not violent because I am not a violent person. Do I enjoy an action movie occasionally? Sure, but do I let it influence me? No.

All of this has to do with your choice to let things influence you.

Answer 3

I think the issue is bigger than this. If a child's only role model is the TV, then yes it's a big influence. However, if the parents play a big positive role in the child's life, he/she will be more likely to make better decisions.

My parents taught me right from wrong and were great role models. Now after I see Gone in 60 Seconds or play Grand Theft Auto, I do think it would be exciting to get into a car chase, but I also realize the ramifications and choose not to.

The problem is, it seems parents aren't there any more in our 2 income economy. So my answer to your question is: "In this society, YES".

Answer 4

Absolutely not. To say that TV commercials persuade us to buy particular products is true. However, it is human nature to desire "neat" things, or items that make living easier. However, it is not human nature to emulate violent acts. It is human nature to pity; not to pillage. I believe that even the most hardened criminal at some point feels remorse for what he has done. Even if it is just a fleeting moment of remorse, it is remorse nonetheless.

Cartoons of my day (I'm 38) were filled with violence. However, that type of violence was non-emulatable, which means you can't do it yourself. I know Wile E. Coyote fell many times from a cliff, but after the puff of dust and a few stars (and Saturns) buzzing around his head for a few moments, he was fine. Unless you're a retard, even as a child you know that is absurd.

So, I think that advertising DOES manipulate our actions, but violence in general does not.

Answer 5

Psychology research does suggest that aggression is learnt behaviour. A famous pice of research was conducted by Albert Bandura who experimented ona group of children by allowing them to observe aggressive acts by an adult on a large inflatable Bobo doll. Those children who observed the aggression, later acted out that same behaviour (a very brief overview of a more detailed study). Bandura suggested that children do an incredible amount of learning by observation and called this his Social Learning Theory.

To relate this to real life, when I put on agressive cartoons (martial arts type, Ninja turtle stuff) my children act it out and has become part of their behaviour towards each other. Cartoon Network is now BANNED in my house!!!!

It is also true that people who are typically agressive often come from an unsettled home environment where they ahve experienced aggression towards them or vicariously (observed aggression to another person).

There is little doubt about the fact that observing violence and aggression on TV contributes to the aggressive nehaviour of society's individuals.

Answer 6

Nope. They've been trying to blame "America's Babysitter" for decades. This falls on the parents and the nature vs. nuture debate. If there's no one around to teach the kid right from wrong and to use some common sense and good judgement, then the parents are at fault. I'm sick and tired of parents trying to pass the buck and make their ineptness at raising their own children become society's burden later. Keep your kids in line or the jail system will.

Answer 7

I think it dulls our reaction to violence so when we see violence for real we do not react as strongly. This could be good or bad depending on how you look at it.

Answer 8

yes, of course.
some people can rise above influence from television and marketing. most cannot.

Answer 9

yes it does

Answer 10

I think it dulls our senses to it.