Mark Zambon Ricki Ptakowski Studies have found that

Mark Zambon & Ricki Ptakowski

Studies have found that television viewing creates a violent behavior within youths 4 Big Theories – Arousal Theory – Social Learning Theory – Disinhibition Theory – Catharsis Theory

Arousal Theory • P. H. Tannenbaum is a leading theorist on the link between violence and television, and the Arousal Theory • Exposure to television violence increases aggression because violence increases excitation, or "arouses" viewers • When youths view television that is considered arousing (either humorous, erotic or violent) they experience increased levels of excitement. This leads to more aggressive behavior within the individual.

Social Learning Theory • Albert Bandura is the leading advocate of this theory • Main idea is that all people learn behavior by watching others. (in this case, TV) • Modeling - Bandura claims that modeling someone’s behavior can have the same impact that direct experiences have – "children and adults acquire attitudes, emotional responses, and new styles of conduct through filmed and televised modeling. " • Albert Bandura believes that under a watchful eye from a parent or guardian, such violence would not occur.

Disinhibition Theory AKA Reinforcement Theory • Leonard Berkowitz has been the main researcher of theis theory • Television violence in certain circumstances will result in increased aggression because it weakens inhibitions against such behavior. • Berkowitz believed that people are naturally aggressive or violent • TV violence doesn’t create the behavior, it only strengthens existing aggression.

Catharsis Theory AKA Aggression Reduction Theory • Aristotle was one the first people to come up with the Catharsis Theory • one of the only theories that states excessive exposure to television violence is good for people • When aggression climaxes among the actors, there is a "catharsis" or release of pressure in the audience, which is pleasurable to experience and leaves them cleansed, uplifted, and less likely to act violently themselves

Experiment • Group A (Experimental Group) – Viewed a 15 minute clip of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles before recess. • Group B (Control Group) – Viewed a 15 minute clip of Finding Nemo before recess.

Experiment Results • Group A (Experimental Group) – After viewing the 15 minute clip of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the kids went to recess where we witnessed the following: Ø Arguments over who is which ninja turtle, and who is the strongest Ø Children were doing karate kicks while yelling “Cowabunga!” Ø Some of the kids tried to persuade the kids in group B to join them in their Turtle game • Group B (Control Group) – After viewing the 15 minute clip of Finding Nemo, the kids went to recess where we witnessed the following: Ø Nothing more than normal activity such as playing on the swings.

Media Violence Prevention • Discuss what exactly violence is. • Discuss how violence is used within the Media. • Discuss why there is violence in media and why people are attracted to it. • Look for creative solutions to conflict in media. • Talk about media violence and stereotyping.

• • Arousal Theory- violence “arouses” aggression Social Learning Theory- one person mimics another person’s actions Disinhibition Theory- a viewer’s inhibitions about being violent are lowered due to repeated exposure to violence on television Catharsis Theory- letting out aggression through viewing it in an unrealistic setting like TV or theater can be pleasurable • Experiment- Group A was exposed to violent TV, so in effect they acted violently. • Media Violence Prevention Techniques