(Source: Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

1. Converging evidence for television’s effect on actual violence.

A. TV violence is one cause of aggression.
B. Even the TV industry no longer disputes this conclusion.
C. Debate has moved to the magnitude of the effect.

(Source: Anderson & Bushman, 2002)

Comparison of the effect of violent media on aggression with effects from other domains. Media violence results are based on meta-analysis by Paik & Comstock (1994). (Source: Bushman & Anderson, 2001)

"These effects are not trivial in magnitude. For example, they are larger than the effects of calcium on bone mass or of lead exposure on IQ in children. Interestingly, recent work demonstrates similar-sized effects of violent video games on aggression" (Anderson & Bushman, 2002, p. 2377)

D. Bushman & Anderson (2001): "Media violence and the American public"

(1) The majority of the American public think that media violence is only a trivial source of actual violence in society. What factors have led the public to downplay the link between media violence and actual violence?

(2) Bushman & Anderson acknowledge that some of the blame for the public's response may be placed on scientists. The authors note the inherent conflict between two roles that we play: scientist-researcher and public educator. What is the nature of this conflict? How can it be resolved?

2. How does media violence affect actual aggression?

A. Observational learning

(1) New techniques for acting aggressively are transmitted.
(2) Unusual or highly graphic violence is more likely to be imitated.

B. Desensitization

(1) Violence is an appropriate way to solve problems.
(2) Violence is tolerated in others.
(3) Result: Reduction of restraints against using aggression

C. Excitation transfer (Misattribution of arousal)

(1) Arousal from one situation can affect our response to a second situation.
(2) Arousal must be mislabeled as anger.
(3) Effect is short-lived.

3. Two important points

A. Other factors may be more important predictors of aggression (e.g., values, direct provocation, availability of a weapon).
B. Although most people are affected by TV violence, not everyone is affected to the same degree.

4. Suggestions for dealing with TV violence

A. V-chip technology
B. Formal rating systems
C. Published guides for educational and prosocial programs (e.g., Cable in the Classroom )
D. Limiting viewing and exercises-explanations

Example: Robinson et al.
(1) Summarize the results
(2) List the primary positive features and shortcomings of this study.

5. Synthesizing what we know about media effects: Anderson et al.(2003): "The impact of media violence on youth"

A. Some critics of media research suggest that highly aggressive children are drawn to violent TV. How do the authors answer such criticism?

B. You are serving on an expert panel at a town hall-style meeting on "raising healthy children". One parent addresses a question to you, the psychologist on the panel: "I grew up watching crime shows and playing video games and I haven't killed anybody. Everybody knows such shows aren't real, so why should I worry what my kids watch?" You have 5 minutes to reply to this lay audience of 300. What is your response?

C. What is the most troubling aspect of the media violence research? What is the most optimistic aspect of the research?