Date Approved

8-2002

Graduate Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Education (M.Ed.)

Degree Program

College of Education

Abstract

Violence among our youth today has skyrocketed, and we continue to hear reports of violent acts and aggressive behavior, especially in our schools. This growing level of negative behavior has prompted many educators and communities to look for an explanation. One suggestion often proposed is that our youth learn violent and antisocial behaviors by watching televised violence.

This paper examines over forty years of laboratory and field research on the effects of televised violence on children. The vast majority of studies conclude that televised violence can lead to behaviors such as aggressiveness, desensitization, and fearfulness. These findings were then compared to a study conducted on eight students at Ottawa High School. The purpose was to see if a relationship existed between the amount of televised violence a students watched and some of the behaviors they exhibited at school. The students were given both a survey and an interview to access their behaviors and feelings regarding this issue. The results found were consistent with previous research. In conclusion, this paper gives recommendations that will help make schools, teachers, and students more aware of the negative impact of televised violence and how to reduce its influence on them and our schools.

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