What is ‚violence’?
Kunczik says it is “an intentional physical or/and psychical damage to a person, a living being or a thing, through another person.”1(15) Theunert considers violence only between human beings. “Offenders and victims are always one or more persons.”2(89) Kunczik says one also could differentiate between concrete violence and fictional violence, as well as between natural and artificial violence. Concrete violence is about shown behaviour, which results in violence, either physical or psychical. Fictional violence is only the presentation of it. And so natural violence means the real and genuine violence, for example shown in movies. And at last the artificial representation means the un-real representation, for example shown in cartoons.
2. History of Violence in the Media
Historically spoken, violence in the media is not a phenomenon of the present; already the ancient Greeks were confronted with it. Kunczik (19) states that each new medium was judged negatively in the beginning. It all started with Plato. In his work “Politea” he accuses tales and myths to stand in contrast to an honourable adult life, and so children and youngsters should be kept away from these. At this point Aristotle, a former student from Plato sets in. He formed a thesis called thesis of catharsis. 3 So one can see that the topic violence already derives from the ancient world. For example Homer and his “Odyssey” as well as Aneas and his work “Aneis”. Also the Grimms and Busch made use of violence in their tales. This goes on to Shakespeare and his plays, for example in “Hamlet” they fight, an act of violence, or “Macbeth”. Goethe as well used a kind of violence, when his “Werther” 4 commits suicide. Critics of that time feared many suicides (and many suicides are said to have happened after reading this work).
Table of Contents
1. General Aspects of Violence
2. History of Violence in the Media
3. Examples/ Effects
3.1. Thesis of Catharsis
3.2. Stimulation Thesis
3.3. Habitualisierungsthese
3.4. Thesis of Suggestion
4. Works Cited/ Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the complex relationship between media portrayals of violence and its impact on the audience, specifically focusing on how media consumption influences behavior and social development. The research question addresses whether media-depicted violence directly causes aggressive behavior or if external social factors play a more critical role.
- Theoretical analysis of media violence effects (Catharsis, Stimulation, Habitualisierungsthese, Suggestion).
- Historical overview of societal concerns regarding new media technologies.
- Examination of the interplay between media influence and individual socialization.
- Critical evaluation of the media's responsibility versus familial and environmental factors.
- Discussion on the necessity of media literacy and educational intervention.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Examples/ Effects
I already mentioned Aristotle before; he made up a theory called theory of catharsis. It was based on the drama theory and it said that seeing an aggressive action, causes a decreasing to use aggressive actions by oneself. So that through dynamic understanding, going through the seen situation, one’s own readiness to use violence decreases. (Kunczik 61) But Kunczik admits that this theory is not tenable. “A decreasing of aggression because of seeing things of violent content (...) does not occur. Kunczik also quotes Feshbach and Singer saying: “The dramatic arts … may help purge the audience’s feeling without eliminating the sources of frustration or even may provide substitutes for motivated behaviour.” The theory of catharsis was developed further by Sigmund Freud. Psychoanalyst explain that there is certain shoot to aggression and violence, and so seeing violent actions can be used as an outlet of one’s own aggression that had to be suppressed (Kunczik 63). A quite interesting point is that there are theoreticians who believe that children should watch violent TV programmes, e.g.Bettelheim. Children should watch these things, so that they could live out their own aggression without damaging their surrounding.
Summary of Chapters
1. General Aspects of Violence: Defines violence through various academic perspectives, distinguishing between physical, psychical, concrete, and fictional manifestations.
2. History of Violence in the Media: Traces the recurring societal anxieties regarding new media forms from ancient times through the 20th century.
3. Examples/ Effects: Provides a critical analysis of four central theories regarding media violence, evaluating their applicability and limitations in a modern social context.
4. Works Cited/ Bibliography: Lists the academic resources and references used to support the theoretical arguments presented throughout the paper.
Keywords
Media Violence, Catharsis Theory, Stimulation Thesis, Habitualisierungsthese, Suggestion Theory, Socialization, Media Effects, Aggression, Desensitization, Mass Media, Child Psychology, Reality TV, Media Literacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores the impact of violent media content on the audience, specifically investigating whether such content directly triggers aggressive behavior in individuals.
Which central thematic fields are analyzed?
The research covers the history of media violence, historical perceptions of new media, the psychological impact of violent entertainment, and the role of socialization.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to determine the extent of the media's influence on the propensity for violence compared to other factors like family background and personal environment.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The paper employs a literature-based theoretical analysis, drawing upon established media research and psychological theories such as the Catharsis and Stimulation hypotheses.
What topics are discussed in the main section?
The main section evaluates specific theories including the Thesis of Catharsis, the Stimulation Thesis, the Habitualisierungsthese, and the Thesis of Suggestion.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include Media Violence, Socialization, Media Effects, Aggression, and the specific theoretical models mentioned in the text.
How does the author evaluate the "Theory of Catharsis"?
The author concludes that while the theory suggests media can provide an outlet for suppressed aggression, it is largely untenable as a universal rule and lacks broader social context.
What is the conclusion regarding the role of parents and schools?
The author argues that parents and schools bear a significant responsibility in fostering interests beyond media consumption and helping children differentiate between reality and staged violence.
- Quote paper
- Désiré Arnold (Author), 2003, Violence in the media, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/22514
