Summary
Contents
Subject index
The 11 Myths of Media Violence clearly explains why media violence has not only been allowed but encouraged to escalate. Esteemed author W. James Potter challenges many of our assumptions about the relationship between media and violence. He argues that these assumptions are the primary barriers preventing us from confronting the issue of violence in films, TV, and video games. Students and scholars of Mass Media, Communications, Film, and Sociology will find The 11 Myths of Media Violence inspires passionate discussion and innovative research. Consumer activists, teachers, and families will find it an essential resource and invaluable step toward finding solutions to this critical social issue.
Chapter Five: Myth 4: There is Too Much Violence in the Media
Myth 4: There is Too Much Violence in the Media
Public opinion polls consistently reveal that people think there is too much violence in the media (see Table 5.1). The misperception underlying this belief is found in the difference between the way researchers identify violence and what the general public regards as violence. Because these two groups exhibit a very different idea of what violence is, the results of researchers' analyses of media content do not seem relevant to the public, and at times, these results can even seem silly. For example, when researchers report that among the most violent shows are Tom and Jerry, Road Runner, Three Stooges, and America's Funniest Home Videos, the public ...
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