The Influence of Violent Media on Children and Adolescents

Browne believes exposure to violence alters children’s normal instincts, and replaces them with belligerent attitudes. Arguing that violence in the media desensitizes people’s emotions, Brown writes, “these seemed to show desensitization to violence after watching violent music videos” (704). Although Browne believes violence in the media has a heavy influence on children’s behaviors, he concludes there are many other aspects that affect children, and media cannot be solely blamed. However, Brown believes it is up to parents and guardians to protect their children from exposure to these images. Kevin Browne is a professor at the University of Birmingham and has earned a PhD in psychology. He was helped by Catherine Hamilton-Giachritsis, a fellow professor at the University of Birmingham. These studies will allow me to explore the effects of violence on children’s behavior and their reactions to violence. It will also illustrate that violence in the media cannot be solely blamed, and that the situation is more complex than just two opposing sides.

Bushman, Brad J., Douglas A. Gentile. “Reassessing Media Violence Effects Using A Risk and Resilience Approach to Understanding Aggression.” Psychology of Popular Media Culture. 1.3. (2012): 138-51. PsycINFO. Web. 5 November 2012. Douglas Gentile and Brad Bushman explore the effects of violence in the media pertaining to children in “Reassessing Media Violence Effects Using A Risk and Resilience Approach to Understanding Aggression.” Gentile and Bushman argue violence in the media has a negative effect on children’s behavior. In fact, they believe exposure to violence creates “numbness” (138). In other words, children are less likely to be sensitive towards violent actions. Gentile and Bushman believe children think it is permissible to copy the actions they see on television and in films. Violent images in the media have become a necessity. They increase viewers’ interest, but also make violence somewhat of a social norm. Gentile and Bushman elaborate saying, “Cognitive responses include beliefs, such as the belief that aggression is normal” (138). Douglas Gentile, a professor at Iowa State University, is known for his work in the field of psychology.

Similarly, Brad Bushman, a professor at Ohio State University, conducts studies on psychological behavior. Gentile and Bushman’s work supports my argument that violence in the media negatively effects children’s behavior and influences children to think that violence is permissible. Cullotto, Karen Ann. “Media Violence: Shielding Kids is Harder Than Ever.” Chicago Tribune. 01 August 2012. Web. 14 November 2012. Karen Cullotto, author of “Media Violence: Shielding Kids is Harder Than Ever,” expresses the seriousness of violence in the media. Culloto realizes that violent images have taken over television and films. Culloto thinks these negative images are harmful and will impact the way children act. Culloto writes, “’ You can no longer prevent kids from seeing media violence, because it has become way too ubiquitous’” (“Media Violence”). Media violence has become a widespread phenomenon that is quite prevalent in modern day. Culloto’s objective in this article is to convey a strong message that reaches out to parents of children who are exposed to media violence. She emphasizes the need of protecting children and adolescents from watching movies and playing games that involve “inappropriate content” (“Media Violence”).

In general, Karen Cullotto believes exposure to media violence harms children and will affect the way children behave. She expresses the need for parents to intervene with their child’s relationship to technology. Karen Cullotto is a writer for the Chicago Tribune. Cullotto’s argument will help strengthen my paper as I analyze the significant role that the media has on children’s behavior and desensitization of real life violence due to large scale media exposure. Salter, Mark B. “The Geographical Imaginations of Video Games: Diplomacy, Civilization, America’s Army and Grand Theft Auto IV.” Geopolitics. 16.2. (2011): 359-88. Academic Search Complete. Web. 7 November 2012. In “The Geographical Imaginations of Video Games: Diplomacy, Civilization, America’s Army and Grand Theft Auto IV,” Mark Salter discusses the role of violent video games in today’s society.

In particular, he focuses on Grand Theft Auto. Grand Theft Auto, such as the title suggests, is a video game in which the main character’s task is to complete illegal missions through violence and theft. Salter provides evidence of the video games popularity, and also elaborates on the effects it has on its players. Salter’s main argument revolves around video game players and their lack of sensitivity to violence after engaging in a land of imagination. He argues that video games hide the truth of violence because there is no physical pain or emotion involved. Although he believes the graphics and designs are very realistic, he addresses the fact that violence in video games is not relatable to reality. However, players become desensitized to violence. Mark Salter works at the University of Ottawa publishing articles and essays on politics. Salter’s article gives a detailed analysis of the primary source that I have chosen. Salter’s argument supports my claim that violence in video games desensitizes individuals to real life violence.

Williams, Gilbert A. “Enticing Viewers: Sex and Violence In TV Guide ProgramAdvertisements.” Journalism Quarterly. 66.4. (1989): 970- 73. Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 November 2012. In “Enticing Viewers: Sex and Violence In TV Guide Program Advertisements,” Gilbert Williams explains the role of violence in television programs. Williams conducts a study to prove that television programs that consist of violence have higher ratings than those that do not contain violence. It is commonly said that violence entertains its viewers. In fact, Williams agrees that violence and sex are two major characteristics that boost ratings for television programming. Williams writes, “Certainly, some shows have attracted viewers with sexual and violent teasers or innuendo” (970). People are more interested in watching shows that contain violence because they are entertaining. Williams concluded “that sex and violence in program advertisements do have a positive impact on a program’s rating” (973). However, Williams also agrees that violence is not the only characteristic that increases viewer ratings. Williams says violence in the media is used for entertainment purposes. Williams’ study is a counter argument to my position on violence in the media. Gilbert Williams is a faculty member in the Department of Telecommunications at Michigan State University.

Reflection on Research
A research paper relies heavily on the research that is obtained about the topic or issue that is being discussed. Research, an investigation into a subject in order to educate one’s self, is the heart of any well-written paper. As obvious as the statement above may sound, it is amazing to discover the role research plays in writing a well-informed paper. Personally, prior to this class, I had no experience writing a well-developed research paper. In high school, I was never taught the importance of finding scholarly articles, and credited authors through data-bases. In fact, this was my first time using a database to search for information. It was always an instinct of mine to find articles on Google, whenever I needed resources to write a paper. At first, I did not like the idea of using a database. In fact, I did not even understand how to use the website. Honestly, I felt out of my comfort zone because I had never conducted research like this before. However, after several days of playing around with the database and conducting searches, I was able to understand how it worked.

Actually, I began to enjoy working with the database because it was much easier to use. I was able to type in key terms, and the database would provide me with articles relating to my topic. Writing this research paper, I learned the importance of finding strong articles that can contribute to strengthening my arguments. In the beginning of the research process, I chose a few articles that I thought would help me write a decent paper. However, after reading these articles, I decided I should conduct some more research to see if I could find better articles. Surely, I was right. I continued surfing the database, typing in different key terms, stumbling upon new articles that would relate more to my argument. As I began reading many of these articles, my feelings and thoughts began to alter as well. I began developing new opinions and discovering new things. Indeed, if I continue to do research, my ideas and thoughts may change. Writing a research paper is not an easy task. However, if you discover great resources, the process can be made easier.