Research

Film and the Representation of Violence and it's Effects.

Nicole R Cunningham and Matthew S Eastin

University of Texas at Austin.

Notes from essay:

- American Psychiatric Association - violence in media increases aggressive and violent behaviour.

- Media researchers disagree

- Research in James bond films - become more violent over time - twice as many violent acts

- Violence is universally understood - transcend language barriers

- Evidence of shooters interests in video games and films.

- The Dark Knight Rises shooting, Colorado.

- NRA blames violent media for shootings.

Cathartic Symbolism - execution of aggressive action reduces aggressive drive.

- individuals lack options for acceptable release of frustration and resentment

- Entertainment industry create media that allow the cathartic release of aggression through participation in a projected fantasy world.

- when angry individuals exposed to media violence their aggression increases.

Disinhibition - watching violence on the screen reduces consciousness and nervousness towards violence.

- changes an individuals model code towards the use of violence.

Desensitisation - More accepting of real-life violence after repeated exposure to violent images.

- so demand more extreme forms of violence

- a cycle

- increases the likelihood of aggressive behaviour

Social Learning Theory- modelling and observational learning.

- Bobo Doll Study

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Contemplating Violence: Critical Studies in Modern German Culture.

Carl Niekerk and Stefani Engelstein

Notes from beginning of reading:

- Trends in theories of violence leading up to the Holocaust

- Status of violence and a means or as an end.

- Early Modernity conceptualised violence as "instrumental"

- Theoretical shift in last decades and new century - reflects change in the global, political and social landscape - witnessing the weakening of state authority and rise in new cultural affiliations whose structures have no relation to traditional state agencies.

- Samual Huntington - ' clash of civilisations theory'

- Linking of violence and identity

- Hobbs - state as barrier to welfare between individuals.

- Modernity's success depend on the ability to contain the problem of violence. - suppress undesirable violence and foster necessary violence.