tom@uwai.UUCP (12/09/84)
The 35% statistic floating about is from research conducted by
Prof. Ed Donnerstein, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He
is a communications professor here, involved in research about the
effects of violence in the media. I'll send some details of his
research, in particular, the phrasing of the question that led to the
statistic. I recently attended a lecture of his, and I do remember
the 35% figure is the sum of the replies that said they "would" and
those that "might", or something like that.
I will look over my notes, but I submit pointers to other publications
that have carried his results - there was something in Popular Psychology
a year or so ago about his findings.
I urge everyone to be careful with his statistics. Donnerstein stressed
throughout it was an important conceptual leap to say someone would commit
an assault, after saying they might, if not prosecuted. It is distressing,
nonetheless.
Donnerstein's lecture was given before a group discussing the proposed
Minneapolis, Indianapolis and Madison pornography ordinances. Unfortunately,
the audience tended to make the conceptual leap, as they were mostly
mainstream feminists promoting the ordinance. Interestingly, in a personal
interview, Donnerstein told me his statistics are being misused by both
feminists and Larry Flynt, at Hustler, for promoting their own interests.
Sonia Johnson, former presidential candidate, gave the luncheon speech
at the seminar where Donnerstein spoke.
John Foust
--
Tom Christiansen
University of Wisconsin
Computer Science Systems Lab
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tom@wisc-ai.arpa