Effect of TV and Video Game Violence on Human Behavior

In recent years, children are exposed to violent behaviors at a significantly young age and as a result, the effects of media violence on aggression, and other antisocial behaviors, may be greater in children than in adults (Bushman & Anderson, 2001). Similarly, Anderson and Dill (2001) state that repeated exposure to violent video games and television appears to affect aggression in children. In this study, Anderson and Dill found that video game play was positively related to increases in aggressive behavior. Furthermore, this study states “video games provide a complete learning environment for aggression, with simultaneous exposure to modeling, reinforcement, and rehearsal of behavior." Researchers of both studies demonstrate that learning often occurs through imitation, and copying what is seen in the media, often contributes to unhealthy outcomes among children and adolescents. According to social learning theory (Encarta, 2000) people acquire aggressive responses either by dir...