Citation

Elson M, Ferguson CJ. Br. J. Psychiatry 2013; 203(5): 322-324.

Affiliation

Malte Elson, Department of Communication, University of Münster, Münster, Germany; Christopher J. Ferguson, Department of Psychology, Stetson University, DeLand, Florida, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Royal College of Psychiatry)

DOI

10.1192/bjp.bp.113.128652

PMID

24187065

Abstract

In response to the Sandy Hook shooting in December 2012, the White House published an action plan to reduce gun violence that, among other things, calls for research into the relationship with violence in digital games or other media images. We acknowledge the administration's efforts to reduce violent crime in society and their obligation to dedicate resources to matters of public interest, such as media effects. However, research projects launched in the midst of a moral panic bear the risk of introducing bias and distracting from more important issues. Ideological rigidity has repeatedly shaped past research on media violence. Current initiatives could be an opportunity to restore credibility to the field and to engage in a responsible dialogue on media effects. In order to inform public policy, we need to close gaps, both in empirical research and the academic debate, while being alert for potential political and social influences.

Language: en