Running head: ANNOTATED REFRENCES FOR BSCOMM268

Reference Review for BSCOMM 268

Brian C. Kennedy
University of Phoenix

BSCOMM 268
Mabelle Reynoso
15 May 2016

Reference Review

Reference 1
Arline Kaplan writes in The Psychiatric Times of both measurable and intangible
effects media violence has on the behavior of those that watch or consume it. Though the
article cites various other sources of quantitative research by the United States Secret
Service in 2002, Iowa State University in 2007, and Ohio University in 2007, its main
focus is on a study by the Media Violence Commission of the International Society for
Research on Aggression (ISRA) and its 15 meta-analyses examining then link between
media violence portrayals and the commission of violent acts by its consumer. This
research found that This compilation of research is explained in a balance and counter
balance format. It suggests that although there may be correlative data to support media
violence and perpetrated actual violence, other factors need also be in place such as
mental illness, poverty and being subjected to bullying during formative years.
(Ferguson, 2012)
Additionally, Kaplan writes that though violent crime has declined nearly 40% in
the United States over the past 15 years, but media portrayals of violence have increased
in frequency and in severity. Due to this, public perception is that crime is at an all time
high despite the statistical data to the contrary. This demonstrates the ability of media to
influence society regardless of factual overlay. Kaplan cites interviewees as labeling this
as propaganda for violence.

Reference Review

Reference 2
Richard Felson writes in the Annual Review of Sociology of media effects on
aggression. The article goes to length at defining violence and aggression and the
distinction between the two. It does so in order to empirically measure the effects on
each. Felson also writes of experiments conducted in which subjects were shown violent
media and a tendency for those subjects to act more aggressively. However, Felson
continues to say that the showing of violent media may act as an aggressor to then
otherwise non violent subjects and that doing so creates a permissive environment
making the study flawed. He also noted flaws inherent in the research because of demand
cues, a set of communicated expectations of behavior regarding violence.
Interestingly, the article also contains discussion of a synthetic fear and distortion
of reality among violent media viewers regarding the actual world around them and their
distrust and suspicion of others as a result. (Bandura, 1983) In the articles conclusion, a
finding is made that there may be some effect on violent media viewers behavior, but it
appears that other factors are also at play in shaping the behavior of those choosing to
pursue violence. (Felson, 1996)

Reference Review

References

Bandura A, Walters RH. 1963. Social Learning and Personality Development. New York: Holt,
Rinehart & Winston

Felson, R. B. (1996). Mass media effects on violent behavior. Annual Review of Sociology, 22,
103-128. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/199555971?accountid=458

Ferguson CJ, San Miguel C, Garza A, Jerabeck JM. A longitudinal test of video game violence
influences on dating and aggression: a 3-year longitudinal study of adolescents. J
Psychiatr Res. 2012;46: 141-146.Bridges, K.M. B. (1927, February). Factors contributing
to juvenile delinquency. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 17(3), 532-576.
Kaplan, A. (2012). Violence in the media: What effects on behavior? Psychiatric
Times, 29(10), 1-8,11. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1151083524?
accountid=458

Media Violence Commission, International Society for Research on Aggression (ISRA). Report
of the media violence commission. Aggressive Behavior. 2012; 38:335-341.