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
- 6.0 Illustrations
- 7.0 References
- 8.0 Bibliography
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper examines the historical development and current role of media in the United States, focusing on its influence on aggression, violence, and crime. It aims to analyze the media's functions and its perceived responsibility for societal issues, while also considering individual factors contributing to violence.
- The historical development of media in the USA and its evolving relationship with power structures.
- The media's various functions and its portrayal as a cause of violence and crime.
- The impact of television, specifically, on viewers' behavior and attitudes toward violence.
- An evaluation of individual factors that influence aggression and violence, beyond media influence.
- The role of the state and society in mitigating media violence and its societal impact.
Chapter Summaries
1.0 Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the paper's central theme: the complex relationship between media, particularly television, and violence in the United States. It positions the media as a significant societal force, often seen as the "fourth estate," and highlights the need to analyze both its historical context and its contemporary influence on individuals and society. The introduction foreshadows the exploration of common views and prejudices surrounding media violence, contrasting them with a more nuanced understanding of the issue.
2.0 Historical development of the media and status quo: This chapter traces the historical development of media in the USA, emphasizing the struggle for freedom of speech and press against British colonial rule. Key events like John Peter Zenger's trial and the impact of the First Amendment are highlighted, showcasing the media's gradual evolution from controlled information dissemination to a powerful force shaping public opinion. The chapter also charts the rise of mass media, including the sensationalist yellow press and the eventual dominance of television, illustrating how technological advancements and evolving audience preferences have shaped the media landscape.
3.0 Television's influence on violence and crime: common views: This chapter delves into the widely held belief that television significantly impacts violence and crime rates. It examines existing statistics and research regarding television's potential effects on individuals, exploring various theoretical perspectives on media violence and its impact on behavior. Critically, this section also acknowledges the importance of individual factors such as biological predispositions, cultural influences, social environments, and developmental stages, which need to be considered alongside media influences to gain a complete understanding of the complexities of aggression and violent behavior.
Keywords
Media influence, violence, crime, aggression, United States, television, freedom of press, historical development, individual determinants, social responsibility, state regulation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Media Influence, Violence, and Crime in the United States
What is the main topic of this term paper?
This term paper examines the historical development and current role of media in the United States, focusing on its influence on aggression, violence, and crime. It analyzes the media's functions and its perceived responsibility for societal issues, while also considering individual factors contributing to violence.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the historical development of media in the USA and its relationship with power structures; the media's various functions and its portrayal as a cause of violence and crime; the impact of television on viewers' behavior and attitudes toward violence; an evaluation of individual factors influencing aggression and violence; and the role of the state and society in mitigating media violence and its societal impact.
What is covered in the chapter on the historical development of media?
This chapter traces the historical development of media in the USA, highlighting the struggle for freedom of speech and press, key events like John Peter Zenger's trial and the impact of the First Amendment. It charts the rise of mass media, including the yellow press and the dominance of television, showing how technological advancements and audience preferences shaped the media landscape.
How does the paper address television's influence on violence?
The paper examines the widely held belief that television significantly impacts violence and crime rates. It analyzes statistics and research on television's potential effects, exploring theoretical perspectives on media violence and its impact on behavior. Importantly, it also considers individual factors like biological predispositions, cultural influences, social environments, and developmental stages, alongside media influences.
What is the conclusion of the paper?
The conclusion synthesizes the findings, correlating theory and reality regarding the complex relationship between media, especially television, and violence in the United States. It likely emphasizes the interconnectedness of media influence and individual factors in contributing to violent behavior.
What is the call to action in the paper?
The paper likely includes a call for action, outlining the responsibilities of the state and society in mitigating media violence and its societal impact. This might involve recommendations for media regulation, public education, or other strategies to address the issue.
What are the key words associated with this term paper?
Key words include: Media influence, violence, crime, aggression, United States, television, freedom of press, historical development, individual determinants, social responsibility, state regulation.
What does the chapter summaries section provide?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of each chapter's content, outlining the main arguments and findings of each section of the paper. This section helps readers quickly understand the paper's structure and the key points covered in each chapter.
What is included in the table of contents?
The table of contents provides a detailed outline of the term paper, listing each chapter and sub-chapter with titles, allowing readers to easily navigate the document and find specific information.
- 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.grin.com/document/18852
