1. Social Learning / Modeling theory
2. Dis-inhibition theory - desensitization
3. Catharsis - media helps violent urges to be released safely
4. Time-monopoly theory - "no time to do crime"
5. Ostracism - aggressive types are shunned -- so they have little to do but watch TV
6. Predilection - aggressive types choose violent TV

Issues in Violence Research

1. What counts as aggression? 
   1. physical force of any kind? 
   2. intentional acts only? 
   3. only acts that cause actual physical harm? 
   4. verbal aggression? 
   5. actions against other persons? self?
   6. cartoons? 
   7. MTV videos?
2. How much violence is there? 
   1. George Gerbner says 6 - 8 episodes/hour, 
   2. 80% of shows sometimes are violent, 
   3. violence is directed against women and elderly usually

1. Case studies and anecdotes - not very reliable or conclusive; e.g. "Born Innocent," Ted Bundy.
2. Experiments:  results

1. Bobo doll studies showed violence in cartoons can influence behavior
2. College students willingness to shock others after viewing violence has been shown
3. Evidence suggests vicarious rewards for violent acts (in media) increases effects.
4. Girls equal boys when rewards are included in impact
5. Catharsis theory is wrong.
6. The young do learn to be aggressive from the media, esp. boys
7. Children can become desensitized to violence

1. Surveys:

1. show there is a strong association between viewing violence and aggression but correlation is not necessarily causation
   1. longitudinal studies show watching comes before violence
   2. the "Canadian study" shows a 15 year delay after TV arrives before crime goes up.
2. but early aggression is the best predictor  of later violent behavior, esp. when the environment reinforces or models aggression and when there is strong character identification.

1. Video violence can have effects, esp. on young males esp. with predispositions or rewards (in media or real life) for aggression.
2. triggering effects occur when violence is a) exciting, b) rights a wrong, c) has high identification with the viewer (only rare occurrences of this)
3. It strengthens the belief in some that aggression is justified.
4. There appears to be some desensitization, esp. if the violence is exciting or shown as "appropriate"
5. no significant effect for most people, esp. adults.