Mass Media, Violence and Hate - Research Proposal Example

Mass Media, Violence and Hate Thesis Violence and hate are both initiated and propagated by the mass media and, they have affected the way the society conducts itself. Topic Overview Technological advancement has made mass media a tool that can be possessed by anybody. This has made it easy to spread hate and violence among the members of the society; terrorism a form of social misconduct (violence) has been spread through the mass media. The mass media broadcasts violence in the form of movies, mobile games, and video games; though they are thought to be safe, research indicates that they have negative effects on its users. Academic Background Sociology is concerned with the study of the human social behavior. The topic addresses mass media, hate and violence. Hate and violence are human social behaviors that are as a result of many factors and one of them is the mass media. Knowledge in sociology will assist me in knowing the association between the mass media, and hate and violence. Courses of importance will be Mass media and society. Annotated Bibliography 1. Source: Anderson, C. A. & Bushman, B. J. (2001). Media violence and the American public: Scientific facts versus media misinformation. American Psychological Association, 56(6/7), 477-489. doi:10.1037//0003-066X.56.6-7.477 Description: The paper talks about the relationship between media violence and aggression, and the impact on the American people. Evaluation: The authors argue that the 50 years of news coverage in United States (U.S.) on the association between aggression and media violence have confused the U.S. public. The authors are well knowledgeable in their expertise. The argument is strong since the mass media is not very sure of the link between media violence and aggression. The argument is weak because there are research studies that have proved a link between media violence and aggression. Relation: Media violence has been covered in this paper and thus, it is important to the research. 2. Source: Perrone, S. & White, R. (2001). Racism, ethnicity and hate crime. Communal/Plural, 9(2), 161-181. doi:10.1080/13207870120081479 Description: The paper explores the relevance of racism and ethnicity to hate crime. Among the many factors attributed to these vices, mass media is one of them. Evaluation: The authors argue that racism penetrates the lives of the ethnic minority youths in a way that it enhances violence as a practical solution to the problems of identity and status. The authors have a firm background in the field. The argument is strong because one way in which racism penetrates these people is through the media. The argument is weak since social problems such as status and identity do not occur alone in ethnic minorities. Relation: Violence has been used by the ethnic minorities to solve their societal problems and it has been propagated by the media. Thus, the paper is imperative to the research. 3. Source: Anderson, C. A., Berkowitz, L., Donnerstein, E., Huesmann, L. R., Johnson, J. D., Linz, D., Malamuth, N. M. & Wartella, E. (2003). The influence of media violence on youth. Psychological Science in the Public Interest 4(3), 81-110. Description: The paper states that media violence has effects on the youth. Evaluation: The authors argue that violent films and television, music, and video games increase the possibilities of violent and aggressive behaviors among the youth in both short and long-term contexts. The authors have a firm background in the field. The argument is strong since there is a correlation between media violence and aggressive and violent behaviors among the youth. The argument is weak since short term exposure to media violence cannot possibly lead to violent and aggressive behaviors. Relation: The paper explores the effects of exposure to media violence among the youth and thus, it is important to the research. 4. Source: Baldacci, H. B., Baumgardner, J., Funk, J. B. & Pasold, T. (2004). Violence exposure in real life, video games, television, movies, and the internet: is there desensitization? Journal of Adolescence 27, 23-29. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2003.10.005 Description: The paper explores violence exposure in the mass media and if it leads to desensitization. Evaluation: The author argues that there is a possibility that repeated exposure to mass media violence can alter the affective, cognitive, and behavioral processes and, thus probably lead to desensitization. The authors are well knowledgeable in their expertise. Strength of the argument; it is not easy to quantify if mass media can lead to violence desensitization. Relation: The argument made by the authors is important to the research thesis. 5. Source: Chaffee, S. H. & Metzger, M. J. (2001). The end of mass communication? Mass Communication and Society 4(4), 365-379. Description: The paper talks about mass communication and whether it is losing its meaning in the society. Evaluation: The authors argue that many people do not consider mass communication as an accurate description of what some communication scholars have studied. The author has enough expertise in the field. One of the strengths of their argument is that the term mass communication is ending because it is becoming more individualized. The argument is weak because as much as it is becoming individualized, it cannot loss its meaning in the society. Relation: The meaning of mass communication is important for the society because mass communication is a societal problem. Thus, it is important to the research. 6. Source: Hiimae, R. (2009). Violence in mass media: Stereotypes, symbols, reality. Media & Forklore, 195-204. Description: The paper speaks about the evolution of violence in the mass media. Evaluation: The author argues that the traditional folklore has declined and folklore that is influenced by the media has begun to prevail; the argument is rational. The author has a firm background in the field. The argument is strong since the mass media has led to the rise of a culture of hate and violence. However, the traditional folklore has not declined completely. Relation: The rise of the culture of hate and violence is attributed to the media and thus the paper is useful to the research. 7. Source: Biernatzki, W. E. (2002). Terrorism and mass media. Communication Research Trends 21(1), 1-44. Description: The paper states the relationship between terrorism and mass media. The author argues that there is a relationship between terrorism and mass media. Evaluation: The argument made is rational; the author states that the mass media and terrorists are intertwined. The terrorists have found ways in which they can factor themselves in the modern culture through the mass media. The author has a firm background in the field. The argument is strong since the mass media have given terrorists enough air play. Relation: Terrorism is a form of violence and how it is propagated through the media is important for this study. Thus, the paper is useful to the research. 8. Source: Murray, J. P. (2008). Media violence: The effects are both real and strong. American Behavioral Scientist 51, 1212-1231. doi:10.1177/0002764207312018 Description: The paper talks about the effects of media violence on children. The author argues that the impact of media violence is both strong and real. Evaluation: The argument made by the author is rational; he argues that there are a number of researches from professional and scientific organizations that have raised concerns regarding the mental health and development of children. The author traces the effect of media violence from the past 50 years meaning he understands his field of expertise. The argument is strong since concerns have been raised regarding the negative effects of media violence. Relation: The paper will offer information on the effects of media violence in regard to the thesis. Read More