Today the media is often seen as the “fourth estate” of the American system, which
already marks its special position in society. This term-paper will show both how that
position historically developed and which role the media plays currently. In order to
underline the specific conditions and political and social circumstances that existed in
the colonies and later in the United States, e.g. the British Kingdom’s influence and its
predominance, the media’s gradual development will be traced back carefully.
Furthermore, it shall be given an answer to the question if and in what respect the media
influenced and influences social and personal life. This will be analyzed with regard to
the media’s functions and its reputation as being responsible for high violence and
crime rates in the USA. Moreover, an insight into common views and prejudices of the
media will be given and compared to reality.
To answer the question if the media is really responsible for crimes, violence and
aggression, its status in our lives must be examined. That means it will be considered of
what importance the media can be for the individual and which positive and negative
consequences might arise from the media’s existence and significance. Moreover, it
shall be shown that media violence has certain potential effects on the individual and is
able to affect everybody.
On the one hand, this term-paper will point out that the media’s impact on political,
social and personal life is underestimated, respectively often not even acknowledged.
On the other hand, it shall be presented that the media serves also as scapegoat and can
not be blamed for everything, in particular it can not be held responsible for crime,
violence and aggression all alone. To prove that, an individual’s personal determinants
will be analyzed in order to underline the various aspects that must come together to
create violence and aggression.
Finally, actions of state and society with the purpose of reducing violence on TV are
portrayed and further suggestions are made on that topic.
Within the analysis, special attention is turned to television as the medium of the 21st
century. Due to its characteristics (stimulating the recipient audio-visually, having the
greatest potential of manipulation and fascination, being seen as the most important,
most credible and easiest accessible source of information and depicting violence and
aggression most effectively) it is the medium which the examination must base on.
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Historical development of the media and status quo
2.1 Critical assessment of the media’s functions
3.0 Television’s influence on violence and crime: common views
3.1.1 Statistics and research: status of television and its potential influence on the individual
3.1.2 Theses on the effects of media violence
3.1.3 Evaluation of personal determinants: biological, cultural, social and developmental influences
4.0 Conclusion: the correlation between theory and reality
5.0 Perspectives: a call for action and the responsibility of state and society
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the role and influence of the media in the United States, specifically focusing on its perceived impact on aggression, violence, and criminal behavior. The primary objective is to investigate the complex relationship between media consumption and individual behavior, questioning whether the media is a primary driver of violence or acts as a scapegoat for deeper social issues.
- Historical evolution of American media and its role as the "fourth estate."
- Theoretical perspectives on media violence, including Catharsis, Stimulation, Habituation, and Social Learning theories.
- The role of individual determinants—such as biological, cultural, and social factors—in the development of aggressive behavior.
- The responsibility of the state, society, and parents in mitigating the negative impacts of media consumption.
- Television as the dominant medium of the 21st century and its influence on public perception and reality.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.1 Statistics and research: status of television and its potential influence on the individual
The following statistics are to emphasize the status of television in the life of an average American citizen:
• “99% of American households have a television set.
• American children spend an average of four hours a day watching television that is 28 hours a week, 2,400 hours a year and nearly 18,000 hours by the time they graduate from high school. In comparison, they spend only 13,000 hours in school, from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
• American television is the most violent in the world. About 60% of TV programs contain violence. An hour of prime-time television includes about five violent acts.”
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has found out that “the average American child will witness 12,000 violent acts on television each year, amounting to about 200,000 violent acts by the time he turns 18 years old.”
These facts underline that television is a central point in human being’s life. Television’s potential, respectively estimated, influence can be seen as substantial since everything the individual perceives mentally or audio-visually affects his consciousness. Problematic is the point that television on the one hand depicts reality (like on news or discovery channels) and on the other hand creates an own, artificial reality (e.g. in movies or serials). This mixture makes it hard for both adults and children to distinguish between authenticity and fiction.
Summary of Chapters
1.0 Introduction: This chapter introduces the "fourth estate" concept and outlines the research objective to analyze the media's influence on American social life and its alleged role in high crime rates.
2.0 Historical development of the media and status quo: This chapter traces the evolution of the American press from colonial struggles for free speech to the dominance of modern mass media and television.
2.1 Critical assessment of the media’s functions: This section details the media's primary tasks—informing, forming public opinion, and the "watchdog role"—while acknowledging the duality of information and disinformation.
3.0 Television’s influence on violence and crime: common views: This chapter discusses the public controversy surrounding media violence, noting that debates are often driven by prejudices rather than scientific facts.
3.1.1 Statistics and research: status of television and its potential influence on the individual: This section presents empirical data on television consumption patterns and discusses how artificial media realities can influence consciousness and behavior.
3.1.2 Theses on the effects of media violence: This part reviews major psychological theories, including Catharsis, Stimulation, Habituation, and Social Learning theories, to explain how media violence interacts with the individual.
3.1.3 Evaluation of personal determinants: biological, cultural, social and developmental influences: This chapter explores non-media factors, such as genetics, social class, and family environment, that fundamentally shape aggressive behavior in individuals.
4.0 Conclusion: the correlation between theory and reality: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, arguing that while media has an influence, it is only one of many factors contributing to violent behavior.
5.0 Perspectives: a call for action and the responsibility of state and society: The final chapter proposes strategies for media regulation and the necessity of media literacy education to address the risks posed to children and society.
Keywords
Media, Television, Violence, Aggression, Crime, Socialization, Catharsis Thesis, Stimulation Thesis, Social Learning Theory, Habituation, Media Competence, Fourth Estate, USA, FCC, Personal Determinants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper fundamentally explores the influence of the media, particularly television, on aggression, violence, and crime rates in the United States, examining whether these concerns are grounded in reality or reflect a scapegoating of the media.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Central themes include the history of American media, the psychological mechanisms through which media violence influences individuals, the role of non-media personal determinants, and the responsibility of state and society to manage media content.
What is the main objective of the research?
The goal is to determine the extent of the media's responsibility for criminal behavior and to highlight that violent acts are usually the result of a complex interplay of various personal and environmental factors, rather than a single source.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The work utilizes a literature-based analysis, synthesizing historical data, psychological theories, and statistical evidence from research institutions like the FCC and UNESCO to evaluate media impacts.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the historical rise of the media, the "watchdog role," theoretical frameworks of media-induced aggression, and the critical evaluation of biological, social, and developmental determinants of human behavior.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
The most important keywords include media, television, violence, aggression, social learning theory, media competence, and personal determinants.
How does the paper differentiate between Catharsis and Stimulation theories?
The Catharsis thesis suggests that watching violence acts as a "safety valve," reducing the urge to be aggressive, whereas the Stimulation theory argues that media consumption has a disinhibiting effect that encourages the imitation of violent acts.
Why does the author emphasize "media competence"?
The author argues that media competence is a critical educational step to inform individuals—especially children—about media functions and dangers, fostering an analytical mindset that helps prevent negative influences.
- Quote paper
- Adriana Zühlke (Author), 2003, The role of the media in the United States and the media's influence on aggression, violence, crime and the individual, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/18852
