Mediated Violence (Week 11)

Violence has occurred in many different ways throughout centuries, ever since humans were able to develop weapons and learned how to kill. But, that does mean we have evolved to be violent, we have simply evolved to have the potential, which is different from the tendency, to be violent (Gabbatiss, 2017).

However, as centuries progressed and humans finally were exposed to media in various forms such as radios, television, and film we have experienced mediated violence much more.

But, what is violence and how can one define it?

According to the Oxford dictionary violence is define as,

(Violence, n.d.) If that is the case where does one draw the line when it comes to mediated violence? For example, does Tom & Jerry count as violence? They aren’t humans, mere animals fighting against each other, and there is no bloodshed, what about that? (Tamer Mitally, personal communication, April 15th, 2020).

Are cartoons bad for kids? In some sense, yes and in another sense, no. According to my own personal experience, I’ve turned out to be a violent kid watching cartoons and have developed certain behavior. However, as I’ve matured and grown I have realized that cartoons are of a different aesthetic altogether and should be taken seriously to provide a kid with excitement and joy. Some ways cartoons can be bad for kids are as follows (Nair, 2018): -Promotes the Use of Foul Language

-Encourages Unsocial Behavior

-Encourages Violence

But, how can we stop this? As parents, one should learn to explain that there is a reality that is not being portrayed in cartoons. That there are some life lessons in cartoons that can be taken and applied to real life.

What about teenagers and adults?

There has been extensive study on how violence in television, video games, and media has affected children, teenagers, and adults. How their cognitive behavior has changed, their psychological impact on society and their relationships with the people around them (Huesmann, 2007).

In some ways, this has allowed me to recall advice which was given to me that everything in life should be moderately controlled, overexposure to violent television, film and video games can be harmful. But, what about violent music?

Before I talk about music; music, in general, has the ability to change your mood and behavior, how one interacts with their surroundings and people around them.

Does this mean “violent” music beget violence? And if so, what is “violent” music? It can be metal, rock or rap music and is very subjective. The lyrics could be the cause while at times the instrumentation, which is very unlikely (American Psychological Association, 2003). But, have there been any violent activity due to “metal” music, absolutely! But, that does not mean everyone is affected the same way. I have experienced violent tendencies after listening to heavy metal but in many ways, than others, it has been my cure to anger that has occurred in various situations around me.

Rap music has encouraged the use of drugs and alcohol, while metal music has encouraged reckless behavior. But, not everyone is subjective to violent behavior and drugs-usage (Chen, Miller, Grube, & Waiters, 2006). Each individual has a unique physiological mindset that can manifest various outcomes based on certain media-related sources.

I have linked a few journals relating to these materials and hopefully one can understand that these studies do not apply 100% to the people in this world. REFERENCES:

American Psychological Association. (2003). Violent music lyrics increase aggressive thoughts and feelings, according to new study; Even humorous violent songs increase hostile feelings. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/05/030505084039.htm

Chen, M. J., Miller, B. A., Grube, J. W., & Waiters, E. D. (2006). Music, substance use, and aggression. Journal of studies on alcohol, 67(3), 373–381. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsa.2006.67.373 Gabbatiss, J. (2017). Nasty, Brutish and Short: Are Humans DNA-Wired to Kill? Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nasty-brutish-and-short-are-humans-dna-wired-to-kill/ Huesmann, L. R. (2007). The impact of electronic media violence: scientific theory and research. The Journal of adolescent health: official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 41(6 Suppl 1), S6–S13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.09.005 Nair, A. (2018). Positive and Negative Effects of Cartoons on Child Behaviour and Development. Retrieved from https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/positive-and-negative-effects-of-cartoons-on-child-behaviour-and-development/ Violence. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/violence APPENDIX: Gabbatiss, J. (2019, March 13th). Listening to violent music does not desensitise people to violence, study suggests. Independent. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/violent-music-death-metal-songs-happy-pharrell-williams-a8819551.html

Gordon, E. (2006). Study: Rap Music Linked to Alcohol, Violence. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5390075 Gvirsman, S. D., Huesmann, L. R., Dubow, E. F., Landau, S. F., Shikaki, K., & Boxer, P. (2014). The Effects of Mediated Exposure to Ethnic-Political Violence on Middle East Youth's Subsequent Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms and Aggressive Behavior. Communication research, 41(7), 961–990. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650213510941 Roberts, D. F., Christenson, P. G., & Gentile, D. A. (2003). The Effects of Violent Music on Children and Adolescents. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/4bd4/0af73efd39198c6d2ba3d2f8a97afbca7858.pdf Theories And Effects. (2010). The Effects of Mediated Violence [Blog Post]. Retrieved from http://theoriesandeffects.blogspot.com/p/effects-of-mediated-violence.html