does violent entertainment cause violent behavior?

Answer 1

That has not been proven beyond any reasonable doubt. The causality is not there

Answer 2

Violent entertainment can lead to violent behaviour, if a number of factors are considered. A classis study by Canadian Psychologist Albert Bandura exemplified this. His study showed that children can model their behaviours on what they see. In brief, a group of children were divided into two groups. The first group were shown an adult interacting with a child's blow up toy (a Bobo doll). The adult played with it in a fun, non-violent manner. The children were then allowed to play in the same as the doll (the adult was not present) and played with it in the same way. The other group were shown the adult violently punching and hitting the doll. When they were allowed to play in the same room as the doll, they too beat and hit it. Just because this experiment was conducted with children does not mean that this does not relate to adults as well. It does. What this study suggests is that, even without conscious intention, we have the ability to copy behaviour that we have seen.
A few related things of interest:
- Children were more likely to model (copy) a live person rather than a character in a movie, cartoon or fairy-tale.
- You will only model the behaviour of someone you think positively about.

Answer 3

There is no set of scientific information which proves this.

Yes, some violent individuals were exposed to violent entertainment, but it is impossible to indentify it as the cause. Many of those individuals also wore blue shirts, do they cause violent behavior? (A little over the top I know)

In fact, the rate of violent crime has been dropping steadily since the introduction of First Person Shooters in 1991. (This doesn't prove that they help, just that they don't hurt)

Answer 4

It very well can. We become what we associate with. At least it can make our minds think violently which is not healthy for ones self. One should take good association and be a guard to the mind and not let any violence, evil, or unhealthy thoughts in. If one wants to purify the mind fully the are recommended to chant the Maha Mantra Maha means Great man means mind and tra means to deliver. This will deliver the mind from all inauspicious and unwanted things. Chant. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Chant loud enough to hear each syllable and at least 108 times. You can use beads in right hand of 108 to count one bead one whole mantra. for detailed information and universal Knowledge go to http://www.stephen-knapp.com/chanting_hare_krishna.htm

Answer 5

Not at all. It's the violent behavior, that causes one to react in violent manners. I believe entertainment can be impressionable, therefore we need to monitor our children's viewing pleasures.

Answer 6

It does contribute. It dulls the sensibilities and the conscience and gradually makes such things 'palatable' and 'acceptable', and should not be 'entertainment'.
If a person enjoys seeing others suffer, whether it be in person of on a movie/TV/video game screen, it is reflected in the personality and behavior of the person. No wonder we have such a screwed-up society!

Ever try getting someone to not watch/play/entertain such things for even a solid week?

Major withdrawal symptoms.

Answer 7

I don't believe it directly causes it, but I certainly think that it has an influence on even the smallest of any pre-existing violent tendencies.

Answer 8

I would say no. The person would have to be prone to a violent behavior in the first place. just my opinion.

Answer 9

It depends on the intelligence of the viewer, I believe it does in many cases. There are cases of murderers who have killed after watching violent movies.

Answer 10

unequivocally not. me & my family are HUGE horror fans. we are also very compassionate & non-violent humanitarians. we enjoy the entertainment of movie violence - particularly a great kill as in Final Destinations or Saws. but we'd be incapable of physically harming another person or animal. or stuffed anmial in my child's case.

Answer 11

I don't know about that, but what I DO think is that violent entertainment does NOT cause desensitization to violence...