The effects of violent media content on aggression

TY - JOUR

T1 - The effects of violent media content on aggression

AU - Bender, Patrick K.

AU - Plante, Courtney

AU - Gentile, Douglas A.

PY - 2018/2

Y1 - 2018/2

N2 - Decades of research have shown that violent media exposure is one risk factor for aggression. This review presents findings from recent cross-sectional, experimental, and longitudinal studies, demonstrating the triangulation of evidence within the field. Importantly, this review also illustrates how media violence research has started to move away from merely establishing the existence of media effects and instead has begun to investigate the mechanisms underlying these effects and their limitations. Such studies range from investigations into cross-cultural differences to neurophysiological effects, and the interplay between media, individual, and contextual factors. Although violent media effects have been well-established for some time, they are not monolithic, and recent findings continue to shed light on the nuances and complexities of such effects.

AB - Decades of research have shown that violent media exposure is one risk factor for aggression. This review presents findings from recent cross-sectional, experimental, and longitudinal studies, demonstrating the triangulation of evidence within the field. Importantly, this review also illustrates how media violence research has started to move away from merely establishing the existence of media effects and instead has begun to investigate the mechanisms underlying these effects and their limitations. Such studies range from investigations into cross-cultural differences to neurophysiological effects, and the interplay between media, individual, and contextual factors. Although violent media effects have been well-established for some time, they are not monolithic, and recent findings continue to shed light on the nuances and complexities of such effects.

U2 - 10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.04.003

DO - 10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.04.003

M3 - Review

C2 - 29279205

AN - SCOPUS:85018444246

SN - 2352-250X

VL - 19

SP - 104

EP - 108

JO - Current Opinion in Psychology

JF - Current Opinion in Psychology

ER -