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Running Head: CONSEQUENCES OF FICTIONAL DEPICTIONS IN MEDIA

Consequences of Fictional Depictions in Media: Effects of Media Violence on Criminal and Educational Behaviors
Paul M. Short and Sharon E. Stein
Ferrum College

Abstract
The present study investigated the relationship between exposure to media violence and behavioral problems in college students. Prior research has demonstrated a link between media violence and behavior. In this study college students, completed a questionnaire about their past and present media consumption and criminal behavior. Several significant relationships were found. Results and implications are discussed.

Consequences of Fictional Depictions in Media: Effects of Media Violence on Criminal and Educational Behaviors Past research has consistently showed a strong relationship between media violence and age related changes that occur in mental activities such as attending, perceiving, learning, and remembering of adolescents (Shaffer, 1994). On April 20th, 1999 Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold launched an assault on Columbine High School killing 13 people and wounding 23. Although it is impossible to know what drove these individuals to commit such a heinous act, one contributing factor may be the violence in video games that the two of them both enjoyed. The results of a study conducted by Anderson and Dill (2000) showed that individuals who were exposed to violent media mirrored the same actions as those portrayed in the violent media presented. Hence, the results expressed that when violent media is consumed over long periods of time the scholastic performance of adolescents seems to decline as the violent media input is taken in by the adolescent. Anderson and Dill’s research is closely related to that conducted by Konjin, Nije, and Bushman (2007) in which it was found that many adolescents look to violent media as role models for how to


References: Anderson, C. A., Carnagey, N. L., & Eubank, J. (2003). Exposure to violent media: The effects of songs with violent lyrics on aggressive thoughts and feelings. Journal of Personanlity and Social Psychology, 84(5), 960-971. Anderson, C. A., & Dill K. E. (2000). Video games and aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behavior in laboratory and in life. Journal of Personanlity and Psychology,78(4),772- 790. Hopf, W. H., Huber, G. L., & Weib, R. H. (2008). Media violence and youth violence; A 2-year longitudinal study. Journal of Media Psychology, 23(3), 79-96. Josephson, W. (1987). Television violence and children’s aggression: Testing the priming, social script, and disinhibition predictions. Journal of Personanlity and Social Psychology, 53(5), 882-890. Josephson, W. (1995, Febuary). Television violence: A review of the effects on children of different ages. National Clearinghouse on Family Violence, 4-84. Konijn, E. A., Bijvank, M. N., & Bushman, B. J. (2007). I wish I were a warrior: The role of wishful identification in the effects of violent video games on aggression in adolescent boys. Developmental Psychology, 43(4), 1038-1044. Kotulak, R. (1997). Inside the brain. Kansas City: The Chicago Tribune. Shaffer, D. (1994). Social and Personality Development (3rd ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks and Cole.
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