Title: Violence in the Media: What Effects on Behavior?
Headings: Violence in the Media: What Effects on Behavior?
Violence in the Media: What Effects on Behavior?
Research studies
One of many factors
References:
References

Content: What we call entertainment is really propaganda for violence. If you manufacture guns, you don’t need to advertise, because it is done by our entertainment industry.” In reality, the number of violent crimes has been falling, but the public’s perception is that violence has increased. According to the US Bureau of Justice Statistics, the overall violent victimization rate (eg, rape and assaults) decreased by 40% from 2001 to 2010. Similarly, the murder rate in the US has dropped by almost half, from 9.8 per 100,000 people in 1991 to 5.0 in 2009. Yet the propaganda, Tanay said, makes people feel that crime is everywhere and that guns are needed for protection. Asked about the hundreds of murderers he has examined and possible links to media violence, Tanay said, “Most homicides are committed by people who know each other, and who have some momentary conflict and have a weapon handy. Usually only hit men, who are very rare, kill strangers.” Tanay did acknowledge, however, that some mentally ill individuals are vulnerable to dramatized violence. “ They are naturally more vulnerable, because they are in the community, they are sick, and they may misinterpret something.”