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.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (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
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper aims to explore the role of the media in the United States, specifically its influence on aggression, violence, crime, and the individual. It examines the historical development of the media, its current functions, and common views regarding its impact on society. The paper also analyzes the potential effects of media violence on individuals and explores the role of personal determinants in creating violence and aggression. Finally, it considers the responsibility of the state and society in reducing media violence.
- Historical development of media in the United States
- The media's functions and its influence on social and personal life
- Common views and prejudices about the media's impact on violence and crime
- The potential effects of media violence on individuals
- The role of personal determinants in violence and aggression
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- 1.0 Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of the paper and establishes the media's special position in American society. It outlines the paper's objectives, which include exploring the historical development of the media, its functions, and its potential influence on violence and crime.
- 2.0 Historical development of the media and status quo: This chapter traces the historical development of the media in the United States, starting with the British colonial era. It highlights key milestones, including the struggle for freedom of speech and press, the rise of the mass press, and the emergence of television as the dominant medium. The chapter emphasizes the media's evolving role as a source of information, a means of protest, and a vehicle for shaping public opinion.
- 3.0 Television's influence on violence and crime: common views: This chapter focuses on the specific influence of television on violence and crime. It examines statistical research on the potential impact of media violence on individuals and explores various theories on the effects of such exposure. The chapter also considers the role of personal determinants, including biological, cultural, social, and developmental influences, in shaping individuals' susceptibility to violence.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This term paper focuses on the key themes of media influence, aggression, violence, and crime in the United States. It explores the historical development of the media, its functions, and the potential impact of media violence on individuals. Key terms and concepts include freedom of speech, press, mass media, television, violence, crime, personal determinants, and social responsibility.
- 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
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