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Abstract
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Two weeks of regular prime-time programming on four major networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC) was monitored for scenes in which guns were either used or displayed. Guns were seen most often on CBS, Saturdays and Sundays, and later in the evenings. Middle-aged, white males were depicted as gun users in better than 75% of the scenes. Most scenes involved pistols. Most often the person who used the gun suffered no repercussions. When a victim was depicted as being shot, seldom was the pain of the victim, the victim's family, or friends demonstrated.
VioLit summary:
OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this study by Price et al. was to monitor four major television networks to find how guns were depicted to determine their role in television programs.
METHODOLOGY:
The researchers randomly selected by coin toss from two weeks of prime-time programming on four major networks, ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC for analysis during the summer of 1990. The authors constructed a rating sheet with 16 items after reviewing relevant literature. The instrument was pre-tested and then the questions were re-organized. Two research assistants coded the programs. The intercoder reliability was better than 90% The study did not analyze commercials and television and movie previews. The research assistant identified the type of gun used, demographics of the person who used the gun, location of the gun when first seen, how the gun was used, outcome of the use of the gun, demographics of the person whom the gun was used against, what happened to the person who used the gun, whether the pain of loss was displayed by family or friends was shown.
FINDINGS/DISCUSSION:
The study found that the individual most likely to be displaying a hand gun on television was a male, legal authority. In 25% of the scenes involving guns, a citizen or criminal was equally likely to be displaying guns. The most common guns displayed were pistols and automatic weapons. The guns were most likely to be used to attack someone. The authors felt that frequent displays of gun aggression, especially by criminals, may cause viewers to view the world as a "mean" environment and the best way to survive this environment was to own a gun for protection. Defensive use of guns was also commonly portrayed on television shows while accidental injuries from having guns in the house were rarely shown. The authors pointed out that this portrayal of gun use was inaccurate and may send viewers the wrong message. The study showed that in most cases when an individual uses a gun against another person there were no consequences for the perpetrator.
AUTHORS' RECOMMENDATIONS:
The authors cited the lack of research in reference to violence as a subject in educators preparation curriculum and recommended work be done in this area.
(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)
KW - Program-Film Content
KW - Media Violence Effects
KW - Television Violence
KW - Firearms Violence
KW - 1990s |