CI Media’s Role in Gun Violence (Mr. Kistner)

Question 1

Media Consumption: What is the current trend of the amount of media Americans consume each year?

Answer 1

teen avg. 8.5 hrs of screentime (for entertainment) a day
combined daily media consumption: 13+ hrs

Question 2

Media Consumption: How does the amount of media consumption have an impact on people’s perceptions?

Answer 2

become more increasingly violent and have violent tendencies

Question 3

Arguments that Media Violence HAS an Impact on Societal Violence

Answer 3

children imitate behavior (baby doll effect)
aggression (watching it may lead to physical violence)
desensitization (when you see something, but it may not shock you, less sensitivity)

Question 4

Arguments that Media Violence DOES NOT HAVE an Impact on Societal Violence

Answer 4

parents regulate behavior
acts as emotional release (letting energy out in a pos. way)
mental illness, not violent media

Question 5

Overall:

Answer 5

there is CORRELATION between media violence and societal violence; HOWEVER, there is NOT A CAUSATION.

Question 6

What is significant regarding the amount of media coverage on crime?

Answer 6

most covered news stories
“if it bleeds it leads”: 44% of Americans say crime stories are important to their daily life —> 2nd only to weather
African-American crime is covered at a higher rate than perpetuated

Question 7

What is mean world syndrome?

Answer 7

George Gerbner
heavy consumption of violent media leads viewers to believe the world is more violent than it actually is

Question 8

How does this impact Americans’ perceptions of crime rates?

Answer 8

perception of gun crime increases while gun violence decreases from 1990-2016

Question 9

In general, over the last 30 years, has gun violence increased or decreased? And how does this relate to gun purchases?

Answer 9

gun sales increased for protection reasons while crime rates went down at the same time