Psychological Effects of Media Violence on Childrens Behavior - Research Paper Example

Psychological Effects of Media Violence on Children’s Behavior Introduction The use of media services is essential to the lives of particular individuals in the society. The thesis of this essay is principally on the effects of violence in media to the behavior of children. Broadly, it involves some findings addressing media violence on children, multiple perspectives on violence in children, and an analysis of the research findings. In addition, the paper outlines a depiction of the behavior of children in future resulting from violent media usage. Further, it offers solutions to violence problems on children. The essay also portrays the cognitive and behavioral implications that play a role in media violence to children. Finally, are the learning principles from the study and theories that influence approaches to media violence on children. Arguably, media violence negatively affects development of children. Research findings on media violence on children behavior The study on behavior of children reveals that it is true that media plays an enormous role in changing behaviors from positive to negative. Through media, children acquire some violence techniques for use in case they have to handle an individual roughly. Various media embrace televisions, internet (through computers and mobile phones), and movies. Television shows hamper parents’ efforts to reduce children’s violent actions. Research also reveals that entertainment (watching television shows on violence) is the principal sources of hostile behavior of children. Children watching media violence are more hostile and have a decreased degree of emotional response when imitating violent acts of protagonist movie characters. Aggressive children spend much time in watching violent movies. Research indicates that there is a probability that children watching violent films at a tender age grow to be irresponsible children. Such children lack sufficient knowledge on the control of intolerable behaviors. The more the exposure of children to violent television programs, the more they are vulnerable to be violent when solving problems. The motive that children have when watching a particular movie depicts reason for increased morale concerning programs. In addition, the use of media brings out a correlation between people and violent acts. Psychological effects of violence in media on children violent behavior Though viewing media violence, children gain unnecessary knowledge on tackling issues. Such media affects children’s way of thinking concerning several life issues. For instance, children acquire knowledge on how to fight back individuals. According to Rathus, (2008) whatever children view or hear during their early ages has an effect on their thoughts as they grow up. Children tend to put into practice all what they see. Lack of knowledge to know what they ought to do and what they should not undertake enhances the ability of children to conceive vicious behaviors. Key issues and controversies surrounding effects of media violence on children violent behavior Development of children is a crucial element in the current societies. Children determine the relationships of several individuals within the society. The principal issue concerning development of children includes an access to media services. Such services involve freedom to watch media movies. On my opinion, children should not have excess freedom on viewing particular videos. Videos about violence play the role of turning children to be hostile and immoral. Parents should restrict children on the videos necessary for their growth. On the contrary, it is vital to expose children to media services such as violent media. Children who watch videos about violence have the ability to defend their wellbeing incase of war. This is because viewing such videos help children acquire necessary skills required in hostile environments. This is significant in hindering children from negative effects resulting from stressful environments. Parents should not restrict children from watching videos of their desire. Free children are innovative and have courage in their dealings. Multiple perspectives on effects of violence in media to violent behavior in children It has come to common knowledge that media violence is the principal source of violent behaviors in children. This is because of several reasons amongst them being the desire to obtain warfare skills. Another reason is lack of a welcoming environment to children. Environments where children are lesser beings and cannot participate in building the society expose them to media. It is through watching violence in media that children acquire defensive tactics. Summary and analysis of the findings from the research Children grow up to be violent due to excess exposure to media videos involving violence. This encourages children to practice what they view and determine ability to defend personal security. Children brought up in oppressive environments are more brutal after watching violence videos. These children lack adequate knowledge concerning what is right or wrong as per the norms of the society. Parents should ensure they do not expose children to stressful environments. This helps reduce the motive that children have concerning watching media videos. Future research on media violence on children’s violent behavior Future research on effects of media violence is significant, as it molds psychological behavior of children. The study should involve meaningful data concerning children and the use of media. There should be several objectives for carrying out a future research (Kirsh, 2006). For instance, researchers should aim at determining the effects that television viewing has on particular individuals. Secondly, they should reason out those affected in terms of psychological effects, when viewing media violence. They should also determine how media violence modifies behavior of various individuals. The research should however involve various categories of individuals (principally, children and adults). There should be a close examination of the effects of violence on human beings. In addition, the research should extent to include preschool children. This is because molding an individual’s life or behavior starts at younger stages. This enables children to have a better distinction between the dos and don’ts in the surrounding. Children taught to be self-regulated exhibit good morals in the society. Those brought up under no restrictions by parents are immoral and hostile in nature. Parents should ensure they restrict their children from spending too much time on television. Therefore, it is worthy noting that parents should look forward to have their children portraying good morals by first making several restrictions on their (children’s) freedom. From the research findings, it is worth noting that present researchers attain vital information only when they have established the principal reasons about their study. Splitting of the primary reasons is vital in examining the effects of violent media to individuals’ behavior. This helps in evaluating diverse variables that later turn into factors influencing the behavior of children. Better children behavior in the society signifies the efforts of parents in well bringing up of children. Solutions to negative effects of media violence on children’s behavior Parents should not prohibit children from viewing their favorite programs. Viewing of the programs is significant in that children acquire more knowledge concerning particular issues. It also helps children obtain some problem handling strategies. Parents may proceed to have televisions in children bedrooms. However, because of the reason that children will now have freedom to watch any movie of their desire, parents must monitor the programs that children watch. They should educate children on the effects of violence as Potter, (2003) indicates, “Children should know that violence hurts”. This helps deter children from growing to be violent individuals. Cognitive and behavioral implication that play a role in media violence The desire to acquire knowledge on how to handle tough situations make children turn to media involving violence. Hostile children will after learning violent skills, carry out some practical activities though war. This leads to wounding of some individuals, which increases morale and makes individuals not to give up on the fight (Calvert, & Wilson, 2011). This makes defeated children to spend more time on violence videos so that they build their self-esteem. Learning principles that factor in violence in media Media does not always portray actions leading to violence. The choice of media programs affects the behavior of particular individuals. Learning principles indicated by children from violence in media include readiness, exercise, and effect (Rathus, 2008). Readiness refers to the aptitude of children to learn or acquire new tactics and techniques in developing themselves. This depends with their attentiveness on the video. Individuals willing to learn and pay attention on the subject matter learn quickly. Children portray the principle of readiness by devoting much of their time on media. Through this, they enfold perspective of whether they are to watch or not to watch the movie. This is vital in enhancing the degree of attention on media. Exercise refers to the action taken by people to put previous knowledge obtained through media into practice. Applying acquired information helps in retaining knowledge on a particular matter. People need much involvement in practical activities rather than theoretical works. Children portray this principle when they become hostile when dealing with individuals opposing their dealings. This is a way of ensuring continuity of the process of learning. Children have the urge to apply all that they obtain from viewed sessions. Learning becomes a complete process through this (exercise) as a middle principle. Repetition of the subject is vital in understanding the content of what they ought to put into practice. Therefore, it is worth noting that exercise is significant in the process of learning. This is because learning is complex and so requires several sessions to acquire desirable knowledge. Effect refers to the result of learning process. It has its principal consideration on emotional retaliation of individuals. It is vital in ensuring completion of the learning process. It indicates that the strength of learning is through an association of rewarding activities. The type of reward that individuals get determines their willingness to proceed with the learning process. Instructors need to ensure they enforce rewarding action only where necessary. Rewarding is significant in enhancing the morale of individuals towards learning. It works as a determinant factor to the conception of a particular topic. In media, children demonstrate this when they reveal their emotions concerning an event. Children viewing violence media movies depict this through involvement into illegal acts. They go out and fight each other to ensure that they have the potential possessed by their favorite movie characters. Parents should not view this acts with much ecstasy, as their children are on the negative side of development. Parents should ensure they (they) apply certain strategies to refrain children from unhealthy behaviors. Parents need to choose the best of the negative rewards on children. Negative rewards determine the ability of children to continue imitating actions and behaviors of violent characters. This helps them grow with knowledge about violent and non-violent behaviors. Therefore, it is worth noting that parents play a role of impeding children from growing to be violent individuals. Motivation and personality theories that influence approaches to behavior of children The principal theories involved in media include social learning theory, social cognitive theory, and catalyst model (Mahood et al, 2006). Social learning theory indicates that children learn violence from observing others. This boosts modification of the behavior of children in the society. This theory shows how children imitate video behaviors. Social cognitive theory involves a suggestion that scripting violent documents enhances the learning of violence. The theory also enlightens people on consequences of frequent exposure to media violence. Children attain information that frequent viewing of violent movies enhances violence emotions to a person. Lastly, catalyst model seeks to explain the causes of violence. It denotes that violence results from blended inherent and pressure from family members. Summary In summary, violence in media plays a big role to violent behavior of children. For instance, it exposes children into growing as hostile individuals. Second, it hinders children from acquiring basic ways of solving arising problems. In addition, it leads to an increase in violent actions. It is crucial to consider the best approaches to solve problems resulting through violence media. In this, parents should monitor the media used by children. They (parents) should ensure that children do not view violent movies. Through this, there will be a reduction of violence likely to occur when children watch violent movies. An examination shows that children interested in media violence portray three learning principles. These principles are readiness where by children are always eager to learn current fighting techniques. The second is exercise through which children require to watch the movies repeatedly. Conclusion Parents should be at the forefront to ensure that children grow up being responsible beings. Children do not necessarily have to practice all that they watch in media. Parents should apply negative reinforcement tools to children to deter episodes of more actions that are violent. Such reinforcement is punishment where by the parents deprive children the freedom of accessing media services for a specific period. Therefore, it is worth concluding that media can distort the behavior of children. It can either ruin or enhance perception of individuals. Parents can change violent behavior of children depending on how they handle violent actions. References Calvert, S. L., & Wilson, B. J. (2011). The handbook of children, media, and development. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell. Kirsh, S. J. (2006). Children, adolescents, and media violence: A critical look at the research. Thousand Oaks [u.a.: Sage Publ. Mahood, C., & University of California, Santa Barbara. (2006). Video game play and the role of frustration: How playing both violent and non-violent video games can lead to aggressive effects. Santa Barbara, Calif.: University of California, Santa Barbara. Potter, W. J. (2003). The 11 myths of media violence. Thousand Oaks, CA [u.a.: Sage Publ. Rathus, S. A. (2008). Psychology: Concepts & connections. Australia: Thomson/Wadsworth. Read More