2. Hypodermic Syringe Model

Question 1

1. Summary

Answer 1

• This model believes a direct correlation exists between violence / antisocial behaviour in media and that seen in in real life.

• Model suggests children and teenagers are vulnerable to media content
- Because they are still in the early stages of socialization (impressionable)

• Believers in this theory have pointed to a number of films which have resulted in young violence

1. Columbine High School Massacre: two boys killed 13 people in 1999
   - They played Doom and listened to Marilyn Manson
2. James Bulger Case: two 10 year old boys killed JB in Liverpool
   - According to the Tabloid press, Boys mimicked scenes from Child’s Play 3

• Police state there was no evidence that either of the killers had seen it.

Question 2

2. Copycat Violence

Answer 2

• Bandura et al: found a direct cause-and-effect relationship between media content and violence.
• Showed three groups of children examples of a ‘bobo-doll’ being attacked whilst a fourth group saw no violence
• Each group were made to feel frustrated after seeing a room full of exciting toys only to find out they were not for them.
• They then entered a room containing a bobo doll.

• Outcome: three groups were more violent towards doll than the fourth

• McCabe and Martin: argued that imitation was a likely outcome of media violence as it is presented as a heroic problem-solving exercise
• It is argued media violence results in the ‘disinhibition effect’
- Convinces children that in some situations, ‘normal’ rules can be suspended

Question 3

3. Desensitisation

Answer 3

• Newson: sadistic images are too easily available. (films encourage viewers to identify with the perpetrators as opposed to the victims)
• During childhood, this has a gradual ‘drip-drip’ effect (desensitisation)

Question 4

4. Censorship

Answer 4

• Newson’s conclusions had a great impact on society and politicians
• Report led to increased censorship of the film industry with passing off the Video Recordings Act (85), which resulted in BBFC age certificates
• All television channels agreed on a 9 o’clock watershed (no bad language of a sexual or violent nature until this time)
• The assumption that violent movie content can affect people in real life continues into the 21st century…
• 2006: advertising campaign for a film starring 50 Cent was criticized for glamorising gun crime.
• Ofcom (2008): reported that 2/3s of their sample of children aged 12-15 years claimed violence is computer games had more impact on their behaviour than violence in film / tv.

Question 5

5. Feminist Perspective on the Hypodermic Syringe Model

Answer 5

• Feminists: direct causal link between pornography and sexual violence
• Morgan: ‘pornography is the theory, rape is the practice’
• Numerous studies have found that X-rated material makes both men and women less satisfied with heir partners, less supportive of marriage, more interested in emotionless sex.
• Hald: study in Denmark found that men and women considered pornography to have a positive impact (improved sex lives, sexual knowledge and attitudes towards the opposite sex)

• Malamuth: for people who were already inclined to be sexually aggressive, pornography worsened attitudes towards women
- However, for most men it had no negative effect.

Question 6

Summary

Answer 6

1. Summary
2. Copycat Violence
3. Desensitization
4. Censorship
5. Feminist Perspective on the Hypodermic Syringe Model