Introduction:
We are at the dawn of new era of communication. The twentieth century is characterised by remarkable changes in our social environment and social communication. It witnessed the emergence and overload of mass media. Mass Media, to an extent, is responsible for the culture of violence. Recent studies indicate an alarming increase in social violence with the increase in filmed violence. Violence in Media has made a mockery of age old traditional principles and values.
In this given situation, radio, television, films, videos, video games, internet and even new have occupied a central place and plays vital role place in human life. Scenes on violence are on the increasing side in television scenario and in other media. One often reads or hears about killing, murder, shootings, bombings or actually become victims of such actions and events.
Over exposure to violence of all sorts can first of all make viewers insensitive to violence in real life. Further, they prefer more and more diverse varieties of violence, and we develop a philosophy of might is right. We might in the process grow to be violent, and impatient in our lives. We may even legitimize violence in real life.
Definition of violence?
Before proceeding, it is important to define the term clearly. According to Oxford Dictionary violence is “behaviour involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something”. (http://oxforddictionaries.com)
The definition adapted also will define the outcome off the study as it defines the extent of the theme. Most of the researches made on media effects focus on media violence.
Violence can be put into the following categories such as spreading rumours, aggressive behaviours like physical aggression which varies in intensity in the give time, physical assaults and fighting leading to major physical injury (L. Rowell Huesman and Laramie D. Taylor, 2006)
Impact of media violence on the audience
In recent times, television has become the greatest attention grabbing device because it has become the most widely used medium, especially among children and young adults for time pass entertainment and information. Media often portrays violence. One of the concerns in the debate and discussion about media violence has been whether or not it leads to aggressive behaviour among viewers. Most research on the impact of media violence on violent and aggressive behaviour has focused on violence in television and films. Researches show the fact that there is difference in attitudes heavy and light viewers of film violence. These results suggest that those who watch violent movies, as opposed to those who watch non-violent movies. It stabilises the assumptions that those who watch violent movies tend to use aggression as a way to solving problems. (Dominic JR, 2001) This comes from the reality that violence is a pleasurable thing to watch hence it must be pleasurable to do (D’Abreo, 1994) . It is an undoubted factor that violence in media poses a threat to public health. Be it emotional, mental or physical, it affects the general health of the society as a whole.
Impact of media on children
The researchers found out that the children who have poor relationship with family members peer group, and social relationships are tend to spend more time in television viewing. While watching television they forget the real life problems and apparently tension is reduced. At this juncture parents or elders need to keep a watch on the children on their television viewing so as to see what they watch. The children who come to television and have poor social relationships come to television with aggression and remember the violent content in the television. (Shearon A. Lowery M. L., 1983) As vulnerable as they are they taken in all that comes to them.
In recent times, television has become the greatest attention grabbing device because it has become the most widely used medium, especially among children and young adults for time pass entertainment and information. Media often portrays violence. One of the concerns in the debate and discussion about media violence has been whether or not it leads to aggressive behaviour among viewers. Most research on the impact of media violence on violent and aggressive behaviour has focused on violence in television and films. Researches show the fact that there is difference in attitudes heavy and light viewers of film violence. These results suggest that those who watch violent movies, as opposed to those who watch non-violent movies. It stabilises the assumptions that those who watch violent movies tend to use aggression as a way to solving problems.
Impact of media on children
The researchers found out that the children who have poor relationship with family members peer group, and social relationships are tend to spend more time in television viewing. While watching television they forget the real life problems and apparently tension is reduced. At this juncture parents or elders need to keep a watch on the children on their television viewing so as to see what they watch. The children who come to television and have poor social relationships come to television with aggression and remember the violent content in the television.
Obviously the media helps children to be better informed in much fields of life. The heavy viewing children tended to be turned off emotionally when it comes to violence. The children who are not over exposed to Television are able to give a better emotional response, to feel for and empathize with the person who is suffering the violence. (Huesmann LR, 1984) . Media seem to say that vengeance through violence is the one and only solution to the problems. Repeated exposure to violence can make children not only accepting of real life violence, but more violent themselves. Television creates an impression that violence is rather routine-fare and the viewing public becomes indifferent to all kinds of sensational crimes of violence. (Peter, 2001.)
Effect of watching violence on children
Media, to an extent, is responsible for the culture of violence. It is said that, three 'S' (sex, stunt and song) make media-products sold. Recent studies indicate an alarming increase in social violence with the increase in filmed violence. Violence, sex, horror, thrills, are ways to mesmerize the masses and hold their attention. Screen violence has made a mockery of principles and values. The excessive presentation of violence has a numbing effect on the audience that script writers are pressurised into depicting more innovating gruesome scenes of revenge and retribution. (Jacob Srampickal, 1977)
Do Violence in media lead to violent behaviour in real life?
Research suggests that violent video games and movies may make people numb to the pain and suffering of others. Further research shows that violent media also affect someone’s willingness to offer help to an injured and afflicted person. These studies clearly show that violent media exposure can reduce willingness to help others who are victims of violence. (Nuert, 2009)
Heavy media, viewers to violence are less helpful to others in need because they are ‘comfortably numb’ to the pain and suffering of others. To borrow the title of a Pink Floyd song,” he said. People who had played a violent game slow to help the victim than those who played nonviolent games. They are also less likely to notice and report the fight. And even if they reported it, they lessen the seriousness than did those who had played a nonviolent game.(Nauert, 2009)
Do Violence in media lead to violent behaviour in real life?
Research suggests that violent video games and movies may make people numb to the pain and suffering of others. Further research shows that violent media also affect someone’s willingness to offer help to an injured and afflicted person. These studies clearly show that violent media exposure can reduce willingness to help others who are victims of violence.
Heavy media, viewers to violence are less helpful to others in need because they are ‘comfortably numb’ to the pain and suffering of others. To borrow the title of a Pink Floyd song,” he said. People who had played a violent game slow to help the victim than those who played nonviolent games. They are also less likely to notice and report the fight. And even if they reported it, they lessen the seriousness than did those who had played a nonviolent game.
Direct effect of media violence and health issues.Television and film violence contribute to increase in aggression and violence in audience. Even television news violence contributes to increased violence, mainly in the form of suicides and acts of open rivalry and leading to aggression.
The intensity between media violence and violence in real life violence will depend on the social influences of the individual exposed to that content. But still the size of the effect is great and that it affects public health. (L. Rowell Huesmann, 2006)
The intensity between media violence and violence in real life violence will depend on the social influences of the individual exposed to that content. But still the size of the effect is great and that it affects public health.
Conclusion:
Majority of researches show that violence in media causes violence in real life especially in children. While this is being true there are also views that the effect of violence in real life is negligible. However none of the researchers denied the fact that over exposure to violence leads aggressive behaviour, in a greater or a lesser degree in the viewers especially in children who are vulnerable.
Works Cited/ Bibliography
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://oxforddictionaries.com.
Clark D. G. (1972). Trends in Violent Content in Selected Mass Media. In Television and Social Behaviour , 250-253.
Huesman L.R (2006, April). The Role of Media Violence in Violent behaviour. Annual Review of Public Health, pp. 393 - 415.
D’Abreo, D. A. (1994). The Mass Media and you, Bandra, Mumbai, 400050: Better Yourself Books. p 88
Dominic JR, G. B, (2001), Attitudes Toward Violence: The Interaction of Television Exposure, Family Attitudes, and Social Class.
Peter Gonsalves, (2001, September), The Techno-Media Age: The Promise Threat, the Challenge. Vidyajyoti, pp. 657-666.
Huesmann LR, L. K. (1984), Intervening Variables in the TV Violence-Aggression Relation. Dev. Psychol., 746-775.
Jacob Srampickal, Jude Bothello, (1977), Media Education in India. New Delhi: NISCORT pg 61.
L.DeFleur, S. A. (1983), Milestones in mass Communication Research: media research effects, "Violence and the Media", New York: Logman Inc, London 266-269.L. Rowell Huesman and Laramie D. Taylor. (2006). The Role of Media Violence in Violent Behaviour. Annual Review Public Health, 395.
Nauert, R. (2009), Video Violence May Have Numbing Effect, University of Michigan, 20.
Nuert, R. (2009). Video Violence May Have Numbing Effect. University Michigan , 20.
Semiu Musa Bello, S. A. (2012), Western Films and Teenager in Nigerian Society, Continnental J. Arts and Humanities, pp 18.
Shearon A. Lowery, M. L. (1983). Milestones in Mass Communication Research: Media Research Effects "The Payne Fund studies". New York, Logman Inc, London, pp 36- 37
Shearon A. Lowery, M. L. (1983). Milestones in mass Communication Research: media research effects "Violence and the media", New York, Logman Inc, London, PP 266-269
Shearon A. Lowery, M. L. (1983). Milestones in Mass Communication Research: Media Research Effects,"Television in the Lives of Our Children", New York, Logman Inc, London, pp 254-262.
Shearon A. Lowery, M. L. (1983). Milestones in mass Communication Research: media research effects "Violence and the media", New York, Logman Inc, London, PP 282-283
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