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VIOLENCE AND THE MEDIA

NCJ Number
36156
Journal
Criminology Dated: (MAY 1970) Pages: 80-94
Author(s)
J P DUSSICH
Date Published
1970
Length
15 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER EXPLORES THE QUESTION OF WHETHER VIOLENCE IN THE MEDIA ENCOURAGES DEVIANT BEHAVIOR OR SUPPRESSES IT BY PROVIDING AN OUTLET FOR AGGRESSIVE TENDENCIES, AND PRESENTS SYNOPSES OF RELATED RESEARCH EFFORTS.
Abstract
IT IS SAID THAT SOCIAL SCIENTISTS GENERALLY REFER TO THE MEDIA AS A REINFORCING, RATHER THAN CAUSATIVE AGENT. MOST RESEARCHERS AGREE THAT THE MEDIA DO NOT SO MUCH CHANGE ATTITUDES, OPINIONS, AND BEHAVIOR, AS MODIFY THEM. NOT ONLY ARE THE MEDIA POWERFUL REINFORCERS, BUT THEY ARE ALSO CAPABLE OF REDIRECTING EXISTING PATTERNS INTO NEW AREAS. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT, BASED ON A REVIEW OF RESEARCH. NEGATIVE EFFECTS HAVE BEEN FOUND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT AND THAT MOST OF THESE HAVE BEEN IMMEDIATE, DEALING WITH SLIGHT MODIFICATIONS OF ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)

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