TV violence poses a number social and psychological risks to people across all ages. Majorly, there are three effects of violence on television on children (Anderson et al., 2010). These effects include; less sensitivity to others’ pain and suffering, fear of the world around them, and aggressive behavior towards others. Exposure to media violence increase aggression through imitation of behaviors observed and through learning of some attitudes and expected benefits of being aggressive (Anderson et al., 2010).
Frequent exposure to media violence also poses long-term effects. For adolescents and adults, repeated exposure to television and media violence such as video games leads to a development of permanent beliefs such as solving conflict through aggression. They also tend to view some scenarios which are negatively ambiguous in a hostile manner. Generally, television violence has led to a rise in violence in the society (Anderson et al., 2003).
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Aggression refers to harmful, hostile or violent behavior by one person against others who are harmless. Aggression may result to physical or psychological harm and could also be harmful to oneself or to objects in the environment (Berkowitz, 1993). Human beings are by nature able to become aggressive towards others under certain circumstances. Some cases require humans to prevent others from harming them or others who they care about so as to maintain and enhance self-will. Such cases may require aggression. According to Buss & Duntley, (2006), human beings need to get angry in some circumstances and naturally, people are equipped with these skills.
However, it is not inevitably evolutionarily adaptive for human beings to behave in a violent manner in all situations. Human beings are not always hostile, they only use anger when they find it totally necessary (Berkowitz, 1993). It is clear from the discussion that being aggressive and being aggressive by nature is different. This is because naturally, human beings have the ability to choose between using aggression or not.
Acting assertively includes expression of one’s ideas and rights without violating other’s rights. Assertive behavior is honest and self-enhancing. On the other hand, acting aggressively includes expressing one’s feelings or rights at the expense of others. An aggressive person ignores other’s rights and may their behavior is mostly hostile (Berkowitz, 1993).
References
Anderson, C. A., Carnagey, N. L. & Eubanks, J. (2003). Exposure to violent media: The effects of songs with violent lyrics on aggressive thoughts and feelings. Journal of Personality and Social Psycholog y, 84 (5).
Anderson, C.A., Ihori, Nobuko, Bushman, B.J., Rothstein, H.R., Shibuya, A., Swing, E.L., Sakamoto, A., & Saleem, M. (2010). Violent Video Game Effects on Aggression, Empathy, and Prosocial Behavior in Eastern and Western Countries: A Meta-Analytic Review. Psychological Bulletin , 136 (2), 151-173.
Berkowitz, L. (1993). Aggression: Its causes, consequences, and control . New York, NY: McGraw-Hill
Buss, D. M., & Duntley, J. D. (Eds.). (2006). The evolution of aggression . Madison, CT: Psychosocial Press.
