FR 7-8

12/02

Abstract

New Research Study Says Kids Who Watch Violent Media Are Rude, Mean and Carry a Chip on Their Shoulders

Prepared by: Elaine Wilson, Ph.D.

Parenting Specialist

104 HES, Room 238

OCES, Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, OK 74078

405-744-7186; 405-744-1461 (fax)

emwilso@okstate.edu

Walsh, David. (2002, August 6). Incivility in society also reflected in children. Paper presented to the International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development Conference in Ottawa, Canada.

Implications for Cooperative Extension. While previous studies have found a correlation between exposure to violent media and physically aggressive behavior, a new, first-of-its-kind study finds that children who are exposed to violent media treat other kids with rudeness and mean behavior. This finding reinforces the importance to role models in children’s character education. Viewing violent media is contraindicated for building respect and kindness. The study confirms that violent media not only contribute to physical aggression, but breaks new ground in showing that the rude and crude behavior in movies and on television is mirrored in the way children who are heavy viewers of violent media treat one another. In addition, kids who prefer violent entertainment tend to be more suspicious of others.

This study asked teachers and students about how kids in their class treated one another. Those questioned had no idea how much violent media the other students were exposed to. Two hundred-nineteen third, fourth, and fifth grade students and their teachers were surveyed over six-months. The kids whom teachers and peers rated as the meanest were the ones who watched the most violent media.

The study also showed that as children grew older, the more violent media they are exposed to and the more they like it. They become desensitized and watch more. Concerns about a growing culture of 'incivility' in society may be starting with our children.

This study expands upon previous research by examining "relational aggression." This behavior includes children who spread rumors, threaten, exclude peers and behave in ways that hurt others. Relationally aggressive children reported significantly more exposure to overall media violence and a greater preference for violence than their non-aggressive peers. Physically and relationally aggressive children played more video games and tended to favor more violence in their games.

The study's results also supported previous studies on violent media's effects on children such as:

• Kids who are heavy media consumers prefer more violence than light viewers.
• The older the students were the more they preferred violence in their video games.
• Children who were physically aggressive were more likely to watch violent media than non-aggressive children.

The study also shows the difference among sexes is strong. Boys were exposed to more violent media and preferred more violent media.

New Research Study Says Kids Who Watch Violent Media Are Rude, Mean and Carry a Chip on Their Shoulders (continued)

Whoever tells the stories defines the culture. This study shows that the class bullies may be getting their lessons from the screen. If we think Sesame Street taught our four-year-olds something, we better believe WWE Smackdown is teaching our eleven-year-olds something.

The study was conducted by the National Institute on Media and the Family www.mediafamily.org 1-888-672-KIDS and researchers from Brigham Young University and St. Mary's University. To view the study go to the following website: www.mediaandthefamily.org/research/reports/issbd.shtml.