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Abstract
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VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The goal of this article by Wilson et al. was to examine the current film rating system and to compare it with social science research on film content's harmful effects on children.
METHODOLOGY:
A non-experimental literature review was employed for this study. The authors reviewed material on the film industry's rating system and social science research data on mass media and children.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
The study found that the Motion Picture Association of America's (MPAA) rating system is based on what is considered offensive by the majority of parents. It was shown that most parents rely on the ratings to decide on appropriate films for their children. It was argued that there are some problems with the current rating system. The authors identified four underlying assumptions of the rating system. It was reported that the assumptions are: (1) Viewers are divided into 3 age groups (0-13, 13-17, over 17 years of age) for determining appropriate content; (2) problematic film content always has a "worse" effect on younger children; (3) the amount of violence and sex is more important than the context of the situations; and (4) excessive violence is not as bad as explicit or excessive sex. The authors argued that these assumptions contradict the findings of social science research on television's effect on children. The study examined the cognitive development of children and the effects of mass media's graphic horror, violence, sex, and sexual violence depictions on children. The researchers felt that MPAA failed to see that children younger than 13 have different cognitive abilities. The study argued that new age groupings (3-7 and 8-12) would be more scientifically sound. It was shown that MPAA does not address the negative effects of graphic horror on children. In order to assess whether the movie is too frightening, the authors identified several determining characteristics of horror films such as the degree of realism and the degree of abstractness of the threat. The study showed that children of different ages and development levels respond very differently to these characteristics. In terms of violence, the study argued that the evidence shows that media violence results in aggressive behavior in children. While the MPAA addresses the amount of violence the authors argued that the way the violence is portrayed may be more important. The study showed that features such as the rewards or punishments of violence and whether the violence is presented as justifiable are important in determining the effect of violence on children. It was found for sexual content that the MPAA takes into account sexual language, nudity, and explicit depictions of sex. The researchers found that children between 2-12 will probably not understand nonexplicit depictions of sex. For older children (13-17) it was shown that these depictions are not going to change their sexual attitudes. It was noted that research is limited in this area for younger viewers and the conclusions are tentative. Finally, the area of sexual violence depictions was analyzed. While there are limited studies on this area in regard to children the results of research on adults were reported. Sexual violence, such as rape, has been found to have the strongest antisocial effects on adults. It was found that viewing violence against women can lead to callousness towards female victims of violence.
AUTHORS' RECOMMENDATIONS:
The authors recommended an alternative rating scheme to the current MPAA system. First, they recommended that children be placed in two categories (3-7, 8-12). Second, the authors suggested that the four content area previously discussed (graphic horror, violence, sex, and sexual violence) be used in the scheme. For example, it was noted that a graphic horror film that would upset 8-12 year olds would be rated "H: 8-12." The research recommended that all of the data on appropriate content be used in the film rating scheme. The authors argued that their new scheme is devised as an informational tool for parents to make their own decisions. It was noted that the new scheme is committed to addressing what is understood to be harmful to children instead of what is believed to be offensive.
(CSPV Abstract - Copyright © 1992-2007 by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Institute of Behavioral Science, Regents of the University of Colorado)
Media Violence Effects
Film Violence
Program-Film Content
Media Violence Rating System
Child Development
Cognitive Behavioral
Sexual Content
Sexually Explicit
Media Violence Research
Early Childhood
Late Childhood
Exposure to Violence
Juvenile Development
Early Adolescence
Late Adolescence
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