Citation

Lachlan KA, Tamborini R, Weber R, Westerman D, Skalski P, Davis J. J. Broadcast. Electron. Media 2009; 53(1): 56-75.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Broadcast Education Association, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/08838150802643704

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Though lacking empirical evidence, professional wrestling has been criticized for portraying excessive violence in harmful contexts. This study focused on the equity of violent reprisal perpetrated by liked versus disliked protagonists with socially sanctioned or unsanctioned motives. Results of a quantitative content analysis show that most violent interaction sequences were over-retributive. Violence that was not part of match competition was routinely initiated for normatively unsanctioned motives and showed predominant patterns of escalating violent retribution. These patterns held across perpetrator disposition. Thus, liked characters regularly aggressed for normatively unacceptable reasons. The consequences of these portrayals are discussed.