PennTags Feed for /tag/aggression

JSTOR: The Public Opinion Quarterly, Vol. 27, No. 2, (1963 ), pp. 217-229

Berkowitz, Leonard, Ronald Corwin, and Mark Heironimus. "Film Violence and
Subsequent Aggressive Tendencies." The Public Opinion Quarterly 27.2
(Summer 1963). 3 Apr. 2008
sici?sici=0033-362X%28196322%2927%3A2%3C217%3AFVASAT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-U>.

This article states that media violence negatively affects audiences because it attracts the innocent and incites crime. On the other hand, some researchers say violence can have beneficial effects by serving as a vicarious outlet for aggression. But, this (and supporting studies) indicates that screen violence does not function as a method of symbolic catharsis. Instead, movie violence can instigate aggressive behavior right after the scene, but most likely not long term. Furthermore, if movie violence is socially justified or the criminals are likable, people may be less inhibited to commit acts of violence.
Though this article does not directly discuss Bonnie and Clyde, one can conclude the film’s depiction of violence is worrisome and could increase the probability of aggression. Bonnie and Clyde are, to the majority of viewers, very likable and sympathetic characters, which this study says may increase one’s own propensity towards aggression. Instead of the extreme and graphic violence in this film serving as a vicarious outlet for aggression, it may actually spur more aggressive behavior. Following this corollary, the new standard of screen violence that Bonnie and Clyde created is dangerous and could lead to more violence.

Arthur Penn's Bonnie and Clyde / edited by Lester D. Friedman.

Call#: Van Pelt Library PN1997 .B6797 2000

Prince, Stephen. “The Hemorrhaging of American Cinema: Bonnie and Clyde’s Legacy of Cinematic Violence.” Arthur Penn’s Bonnie and Clyde. Friedman, Lester D., ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000.

According to Stephen Prince, Bonnie and Clyde was a landmark film because it presented graphic violence in an unprecedented way and changed the future of cinema. Prince even calls Bonnie and Clyde’s ultimate death “ferocious” (127). While at the time the film was very controversial, it set a precedent for violence that is consistently surpassed in contemporary films. Prince identifies two important factors that made this extremely violent film possible. First, he says that the social unrest of the period and the extremely bloody Vietnam War put violence on the cultural agenda, and influenced the graphic scenes in Penn’s film. Furthermore, even though the movie is set in the 1930s, Penn wanted to metaphorically relate to the 1960s by presenting the idea of resisting the Establishment. Secondly, Hollywood institutions were changing and directors were gaining more creative freedom, especially because of changes to the Production Code. Bonnie and Clyde used new and cutting edge cinema techniques to enhance the action. For example, Penn used multi-camera filming, slow motion, and intercutting slow-and-normal speed action to heighten the effects of screen violence. He also drew inspiration from unique sources, and Prince identifies Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa as an essential inspiration. The final (and goriest) scene in the movie draws heavily from techniques used in The Seven Samurai (1954), particularly the use of intercutting and multiple cameras to capture the action.
Penn broke tradition and overturned decades of “polite violence (139)”. Prince’s argument supports the idea that Bonnie and Clyde was a watershed film in Hollywood history, and ignited intense levels of screen violence. In fact, Bonnie and Clyde would no longer even seem violent to modern viewers because of the infinitely increasing threshold for on-screen aggression, which Prince says this film sparked. Bonnie and Clyde transformed cinematic violence to an exciting, entertaining spectacle.

Map of School Shootings

A chronology of incidences of school violence involving youths.

Affect of the Game Player: Short-Term Effects of Highly and Mildly Aggressive Video Games

Electronic reprint of 2 studies conducted at Rice University about the short-term effects violent video games. Concludes that violent video games increase aggression in the short-term. The more violent the video game the more detrimental the impact of the video game is.

Violent Video Games Lead To Brain Activity Characteristic Of Aggression

Short scientific article which discusses the findings of brain-imaging during exposure to violent video games. Proves the link between violent video games and aggression on a neurobiological level.

Violent Video Games: The Newest Media Violence Hazard

Thoughtful discussion of violence in video games. Also offers a comparison to violence in other forms of media. In particular, there is a rich discussion on why violent video games may have less of an impact on youths than other forms of media, and why video games may have a more ruinous impact than other media.

The effects of violent video games on aggression. Sherry 27 (3): 409 -- Human Communication Research

A comprehensive meta-analysis and statistical research project of all prior studies conducted about the effects of violent video games on aggression. Sherry is skeptical that violence in video games causes aggression and believes that more research is needed.

Empathy for the victim and sexual arousal among rapists and nonrapists

Study conducted comparing the empathy & sexual arousal of rapists and nonrapists. The study found that aggressors have less empathy for victims than non-aggressors. Alternatively, rapists are less empathetic than non-rapists.

Marine Corps Modeling and Simulation Management Office--Marine Doom

Describes the product, Marine Doom, a video game-like military simulator that was adapted from the popular video game, Doom II. This simulator "teaches concepts such as mutual fire team support, protection of the automatic rifleman, proper sequencing of an attack, ammunition discipline and succession of command."

Video and Computer Games in the 90's: Children's Time Commitment and Game Preference

Theorizes that violent video game play may reduce empathy for victims. Empathy has been found to be lower among known aggressors than among nonaggressors.

Leonard Berkowitz--Aggression: Its causes, consequences, and control

The book explains Berkowitz's Cognitive Neoassociation Model of Aggression. It proposes that when people are repeatedly exposed to aggression they create in their minds more detailed and interconnected aggressive thought networks. Exposure to aggression can trigger related feelings and can bring to mind knowledge of aggression-related skills, memories, and beliefs.

TIP: Theories

Explanation of Albert Bandura's social learning theory which essentially states that children learn what behaviors are appropriate and rewarding in a given situation through observation and reinforcement.

Current Events: Game over: Illinois Governor says some video games are too violent for teens

This article discusses Illinois's Governor Blagojevich's desire to ban the sale of violent video games to minors because he believes that they desensitize and contribute to kids becoming more violent.

Violence in video games : hearing before the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, House of Representatives, One Hundred Third Congress, second session, June 30, 1994.

The statement of the American Medical Association discusses the effects of violence in various media types on youths. In video games, they focus on the problem of "role-modeling" and video games' capacity to potentially promote "real world" violence.

Masters of doom : how two guys created an empire and transformed pop culture / David Kushner.

The chapter "Straight out of Doom" discusses the influence of violent video games like "Doom" and whether or not they may be partially responsible for incidents like the Columbine High shootings of 1999.

Children in the digital age : influences of electronic media on development / edited by Sandra L. Calvert, Amy B. Jordan, and Rodney R. Cocking.

Provides a brief history of violent video games and discusses potential negative effects of violent video games. Also provides models and theories relating to the effects of Media Violence.

Stop teaching our kids to kill : a call to action against TV, movie & video game violence / Dave Grossman and Gloria DeGaetano.

Chapter 4, "It's Important to Feel Something When You Kill", discusses the evolution in violence in video games. It explains why violent video games are popular, addictive, and dangerous. Includes a very interesting section on video games as desensitizing killing simulators and military/law enforcement usage of them.

Trigger happy : videogames and the entertainment revolution / Steven Poole.

Chapter entitled "The Prometheus Engine" in part discusses military technology that is similar to video games. With wars being waged from increasingly great distances, they're fought and seen through video game-type graphic systems. Such technology turns killing into a "game".

Media Violence Research and Youth Violence Data: Why Do They Conflict? -- Olson 28 (2): 144 -- Academic Psychiatry

Professes that contrary to what the media may like you to believe, there is no substantial link between violent video games anf and real-life violence or crime. Also explains that further research is needed to support any conclusion

An Update on the Effects of Playing Violent Video Games

Provides a brief overview of existing research on the effects of violent video games. Reveals that exposure to viuolent games is linked to an increase in aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, aggressive affect, and cardiovacular arousal. Also linked to a decrease in "helping" behavior.

Video Game Violence: A Review of the Emperical Literature 1998

Outlines what is known about the relationship between violent video games and aggression. Suggests that violent video games may lead to an increase in aggression, or violent behavior. Article is based on empiracle evidence and concludes that there is a need for more research in this discipline.

History of Violence in Video Games--Mortal Kombat (part I)

Discussion of the controversy surrounding Mortal Kombat

Video Games and Aggressive Thoughts, Feelings, and Behavior in the Laboratory and in Life

Discussion of two scientific studies relating to the effects of violent video games. Compares the results of these two studies to popular behavior models. Results of both studies are consistent with "the General Affective Aggression Model, which predicts that exposure to violent video games will increase aggressive behavior in both the short term and the long term"

History of Violence in Video Games--Grand Theft Auto (part I)

Discussion of the violence in the video game, "Grand Theft Auto"

History of Violence in Video Games--Grand Theft Auto (part II)

Discussion of the violence in the video game, "Grand Theft Auto"

History of violence in video games--Death Race

Discusses the controversy surrounding the 1976 video game "Death Race"

When Two Tribes Go to War: A History of Video Game Controversy

Discussion of the history and evolution of violence in video games

Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts, and Unanswered Questions

Examination of the myths, facts, and unanswered questions relating to violence and video games