Does TV Violence Cause Real Life Violence? (America, myth, faith)

[Sunstone]

Does TV violence cause real life violence? Why or why not?

[doppelgänger]

It seems to me that many things cause real life violence and they are all intertwined. If a culture celebrates violence, violence will tend to manifest in many of the things people in that culture do. Does TV cause a culture to celebrate or glorify violence? I think TV is more reflective of those values than creative of them. But it certainly does perpetuate a culture of violence. Religion is part of that same loop. So is politics, law, music, the way history is taught to children, and how we perceive ourselves - as connected to others or making our way in the world for just ourselves or our immediate family or our individual peer groups.

The motor behind all of this cycle of violence, if it can be traced to a proximate cause, is the prevalence of shame and guilt throughout a society coupled with dominant mythologies that do not provide an outlet for dissipating shame, guilt and fear in a healthy and productive manner. The obvious example is the American mythology of masculinity, which is all about reinforcing shame and guilt for males who don't fight, don't win, don't make enough money, don't have enough sex, don't live extremely enough (alcohol, fast cars, lavish lifestyles). American males are awash in this in our culture from the day they're born. The result, not surprisingly, is that non-violence, diplomacy, tolerance, moderation and showing emotion (other than anger) can all be to some extent considered shameful among males.

[Terrywoodenpic]

I suspect that it does ...by desensitising the viewer to violence, and fuelling their greed.

[Bishka]

It depends entirely on the viewer of the violence. Some people have more of an aptitude towards violence then others.

[Dream Angel]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Does TV violence cause real life violence? Why or why not?

In England there have been a couple of crimes put on the news where the boys (usually teenagers) have watched it in a film. So I think TV violence can cause real life violence, but it depends on other facts as well - how they are brought up, their mental state, etc etc.

[CaptainXeroid]

Originally Posted by doppelgänger

...Religion is part of that same loop...

I won't speak for other faiths, but as far as it relates to Christianity, this is an invalid assertion. Christ taught us non-violence and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

I'm not going to deny that there are some rogues out there who call themselves Christians yet are part of the 'loop', but to paint with such a large brush is careless at least and irresponsible at worst.

While I think that violence in TV and other media may desensitize some to violence in real life, placing the blame on TV is a cop-out to avoid holding people responsible for their actions.

I don't have the numbers in front of me, but for some enterprising researcher, the way to test the question is to examine the number of violent acts witnessed on TV and compare that to the number of violent acts a person carries out. I imagine that among the weak-willed, there will be a strong co-relation, and that among those 'normal' people who choose to act appropriately, TV violence will be a non-factor.

[Dream Angel]

Originally Posted by CaptainXeroid

I won't speak for other faiths, but as far as it relates to Christianity, this is an invalid assertion. Christ taught us non-violence and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

I'm not going to deny that there are some rogues out there who call themselves Christians yet are part of the 'loop', but to paint with such a large brush is careless at least and irresponsible at worst.

While I think that violence in TV and other media may desensitize some to violence in real life, placing the blame on TV is a cop-out to avoid holding people responsible for their actions.

I don't have the numbers in front of me, but for some enterprising researcher, the way to test the question is to examine the number of violent acts witnessed on TV and compare that to the number of violent acts a person carries out. I imagine that among the weak-willed, there will be a strong co-relation, and that among those 'normal' people who choose to act appropriately, TV violence will be a non-factor.

You make some good points! Anyone who carrys out violent acts are probably violent people anyway whether they watch tv or not - the TV just gives them sick ideas to continue to fulfill their fun!

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by CaptainXeroid

I won't speak for other faiths, but as far as it relates to Christianity, this is an invalid assertion. Christ taught us non-violence and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

That's a matter of subjective interpretation. It could provide a mythology that allows for a healthy approach to fear and guilt. Frequently it doesn't and it certainly can be used to reinforce a "war" mentality. Don't read too much into what I wrote. Religion is shaped by and shapes these cultural dynamics. As does any other medium for mythology, including television.