The Killing Screens: Media & the Culture of Violence

Our exposure to violent content from television and other mass media can influence us into thinking that the world is more dangerous than it really is, this is Mean World Syndrome.

The term was coined by researcher George Gerbner who studies the effects of television on society. He has observed that those who watch a large amount of television can tend to think that the world is dangerous and intimidating. People who don’t view much television tend to view the world in a more positive light.

Gerbner has observed that this syndrome has spread as more people view DVDs and online content. Well known studies from the 1930s have showed how influential mass media can be on human behavior. This is referred to as the Hypodermic model which describes how people are injected with messages and suggestions from the media.

Another source of these messages and ideas is, of course, video games. Tests have shown that exposure to violent games clearly increases aggressive thoughts and increases arousal. When presented with images of violence teenagers who were used to playing violent video games were found to show lower hear rates and lower galvanic skin responses than those who had never played such games.

It has been found that by presenting extreme violent behavior as normal there is greater chance that someone will display these behviors themselves when provoked.

The media exerts a very powerful influence upon us all, regardless of how independent we feel. If we are repeatedly told that the world is a dangerous place then this will foster fear. People who are strongly influenced by violent video games are much more likely to respond violently to real-life confrontations.

Its very clear that mass media and video games can significantly influence the way in which we view the world around us.

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