University Essay: Examining the Impact of Media on Societal Violence

This essay critically examines the relationship between media and violence, arguing against the notion that media directly creates violence. It acknowledges the powerful position of media in the digital age but emphasizes that violence in media primarily serves as entertainment. The essay highlights that individual behavior is shaped by a multitude of factors, including social, cultural, environmental, genetic, and psychological influences, rather than solely by media exposure. While recognizing media's potential to influence, particularly in children, the essay concludes that media is not solely responsible for societal violence. It suggests that media's influence can be controlled and monitored through parental guidance and critical thinking, and also by media organizations themselves, to ensure content is not misinterpreted by society.

Running head: MEDIA AND VIOLENCE
MEDIA AND VIOLENCE
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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The recent incidents of mass shooting and growing violence in society have certainly
raised concerns among not only the social thinkers but also common people. The growth in
digitalisation has made media accessible by everyone in the most convenient way than it has ever
been before and it is therefore seen as one of the reason causing an increase in violence, crime
and homicides. The essay aims to argue against the fact that the media creates violence.
According to Hiebert and Gibbons (2017), the fact cannot be denied that with
advancement and development in technology, media is holding one of the most powerful
positions in the contemporary era. “Media service units are an important element of the system,
but for the most part they are not owners of basic media units.” Therefore the reason media being
held as the culprit of creating violence in society is inevitable. However, it is not appropriate to
come to a decision without reasons and logic. Violence in media is one of the popular content,
watched widely by a large population. However, the sole purpose of watching violence in media
or violent content by million people is entertainment. It is preferred as a form of recreation and
nothing more since people are excited and fascinated when they watch crime cases or violence.
Watching violence or reading violent related content and performing them has vast
differences. According to researchers, people's behaviour is evolved from social, cultural,
environmental, genetics and psychological factors. These factors play a vital role in shaping an
individual's perception and thinking about their behaviour. Therefore, keeping aside these major
factors aside and holding media as the reason for increasing violence is certainly unrealistic.
“The personal factors include childhood experience, knowledge and education, personality and
self-construal, sense of control, values, political and world views, goals, felt responsibility,
cognitive biases, place attachment, age, gender and chosen activities.” (Gifford & Nilsson,

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2014) For example, a person is like to commit crimes which have never experienced any media
however been through domestic violence and child abuse.
“A range of studies that examine the interactions between crime and society are brought
together in this current issue of Contemporary Social Science” (Canter & Youngs, 2016).
Despite all the factors discussed above, the fact cannot be neglected that media possess the
power to influence people's mind. People are constantly influenced by media in terms of
information, fashion, lifestyle and many more. The power of influence can be battled with
logical thinking, comparing the benefits and the outcomes of an action performed through media
influence. Therefore, children are largely at the risk of being influenced. For children, the
statement implies right which requires concern. Children should be monitored while they are
exposed to violence. The adults should play the crucial role of making the children understand
regarding the content they watch and help them develop the appropriate perception of violence,
crime and homicides.
As discussed above, media is often considered as one of the reasons for increasing
violence in society. However, with the discussion above it can be concluded that media is not
responsible for the growing violence in society. Although they have the potential, it can be
controlled and monitored with specific basic measures. Media itself can protect itself as well in
ensuring their contents are not perceived in inappropriate ways by society.

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References:
Canter, D., & Youngs, D. (2016). Crime and society.
Gifford, R., & Nilsson, A. (2014). Personal and social factors that influence pro‐environmental
concern and behaviour: A review. International Journal of Psychology, 49(3), 141-157.
Hiebert, R. A., & Gibbons, S. (2017). Exploring mass media for a changing world. Routledge.