oaf@mit-vax.UUCP (Oded Feingold) (08/18/85)
> There have been many studies done with children that > demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that watching violent > behavior on television or file leads to increased aggression > and violence in the watcher's behavior. There is some > controversy as to whether this is true of adults, though > there is sufficient evidence to conclude that watching > violence at least causes a desensitization. > The Polymath (aka: Jerry Hollombe) A recent article in the journal of the New York Academy of Science's journal (whose title I regretfully forget) mentioned studies of when violence is imitated by viewers/readers/etc. It seems that public emulation tracks two things: 1. Whether the participant is a role model. For example, Marilyn Monroe's suicide prompted a statistically significant upward perturbation in the national suicide rate over the following few weeks. 2. Whether the participants are "rewarded" for their violent behavior. Apparently, something like a highly publicized boxing match [the "Thrilla in Manila" was given as an example] leads to an increase in the national rate of violent crime, again over a short period following its airing. Apparently this effect is strong enough that hosital emergency rooms bring extra personnel on shift in the month following such an event. Conversely, over a similar period, a publicized execution seems to have a deterrent effect. I could go on with boring details, but if one accepts the researchers' claims, the conclusion is fairly clear: People are influenced by perceived public approbation of certain types of behavior. If famous people do something violent, that diminishes the average person's average level of inhibition when considering the same thing, at least for a while. Also, if the rewards of violent behavior are manifestly desirable, like getting $8,000,000 for punching someone's lights out, people are more likely to try it themselves, even if nobody is waiting around to pay them. ---------------------------------------- Notes: The research methodology involved studying suicide rates over much shorter time periods than usual, (monthly or weekly instead of annually), and correlating the variations with highly publicized events. Also, hospital and ER supervisors and scheduling officers were polled and interviewed. Presumably, they also checked police records. If someone's really interested, I could track down the specifics and retransmit them. However, I just sent this in as flamebait. ---------------------------------------- More personal notes: Not having a good reason to resist the idea, I provisionally accept the conclusions listed above. In that case, a film like "Rambo" has probably caused death and trauma to a significant number of Southeast Asian immigrants, Mighty Mouse (and the more modern equivalents) have provoked many childish injuries, and pro football and hockey (let alone boxing and wrestling) have engendered uncounted assaults and maybe rapes. In contrast, "Apocalypse Now" had the opposite effect because the participants' violence did not lead to personal happiness or public applause, and sports like baseball and basketball tend to bring out better qualities in their audiences than the two mentioned before. [Just guessing -- I won't stake my life on it.] I don't support eliminating violence from movies or TV. Nor do I see a contradiction between watching movies and making your own instruments and music, (or going to concerts), except that they compete for the same blocks of leisure time. However, I would support placing such things in a context that is NOT specifically designed to breed anti-social behavior. In the main, such changes should lie in offering alternatives rather than restricting what's out there. However, lest I sound like a lily-livered, bleeding-heart, liberal Commie wimp, I'll mention that some things should be restricted. For example, I see no reason to show boxing on mass media -- those who want to see it should finance it with direct payments. I don't like the idea of supporting such things with the advertising premiums I pay on cars, toiletries, beer or other necessities. Same goes for rassling, but people who are awake late at night are all degenerates anyway, so what's the use? Whew -- I'm longwinded once I get warmed up, no? 'Bye all. -- Oded Feingold MIT AI Lab. 545 Tech Square Cambridge, Mass. 02139 OAF%OZ@MIT-MC.ARPA {harvard, ihnp4!mit-eddie}!mitvax!oaf 617-253-8598