Social Learning Theory and TV Violence
DON-RAY TV Violence on ChildrenIn the United States children watch an average of three to fours hours of television daily (Cantor & Wilson, 1984, p. 28). Television can be a powerful influence in developing value systems and shaping behavior. Unfortunately, much of today's television programming is violent. Studies of the effects of TV violence on children and teenagers have found that children may become insensitive to violence. Consequently, they tend to gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems by imitating the violence they observe on television; and they identify with certain characters, good or bad. Therefore, extensive viewing of television violence by children causes greater aggressiveness (Rosenthal, 1986). Typically, children begin watching television at a very early age, sometimes as early as six months, and are fervent viewers by the time that they are two or three years old (Murray, 1997). The amount of time that American children spend watching TV is remarkable, an average of four hours a day, 28 hours a week, 2,400 hours a year, nearly 18,000 hours by the time they graduate from high school (Chen, 1994, p.23). In comparison, they spend a mere 13
It is not the violence itself that makes the cartoons attractive to preschoolers, but the vivid images accompanying them. He believes in the importance of observing and modeling the behaviors, attitudes, and emotional reactions of others especially in films and television. Bandura, (1973) indicates that sometimes, watching a single violent program can increase aggressiveness. Through its magic, youngsters can travel to the moon or the bottom of the sea. Rogers' Neighborhood and Sesame Street also help promote good behavior and cooperation. Media Violence, Antisocial Behaviour, and The Social Consequences of Small Effects. 122) Unfortunately, most children's programming does not teach children what most parents and teachers want them to learn. Violence is often expressed as an acceptable behavior, especially for heroes who have never been punished. I believe that aggression modeled by children from watching television could be curbed when more of the influential adults in children's lives are involved. TV Violence on ChildrenElementary school children ages six to eleven still watch cartoons but also begin watching more adult or family-oriented programming than they did when they were younger. It appears television is a form of education and positive role models.
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