If these perspectives can be successfully reinforced with programming such as WWF wrestling, are already aligned with violent behavior (McLellan, 2002). The television shows are reinforcing their need to reinforce and actualize this world view and mind set. These perspectives, if the children who play video games for hours every day could also be seeking out those video games in an attempt to actualize their violent thoughts and feelings. Demographics evidence would also agree with this statement, since those who are not at a high risk to commit violent crimes are likely not seeking out the violent television programming and video games.
Attention Deficit Disorder and Television
Some studies show a strong correlation between the amount of television a child watches and the likelihood that they will suffer from ADD later in life (Schmidt and Vandewater, 2008). Other studies show no correlation between them at all. Television has the unique ability to grab a child's attention and draw them into the programming, so the content of the programming seems to matter more than the amount of television a child watches. Studies have shown that children who watch educational programming, which has been around ever since televisions have, are far more likely to benefit from that programming in a positive way (Schmidt and Vendewater, 2008). Just as children who watch violent television shows are likely to reflect these norms and values behaviorally.
For a child who is already ADD or ADHD, a television is an excellent way to self-medicate (Schmidt and Vendewater, 2008). They can have access to thousands of channels and can finally become satiated with the amount of programming and visual and auditory stimuli being created by the television. For those who are already predisposed to ADD, television and video games can be an excellent way for them to both communicate and learn (Schmidt and Vendewater, 2008). Children who are already at high risk for ADD in adulthood already watch television at high levels as a child, and these levels often predict the amount of television they will likely watch as they become adults. For a researcher...
The high levels of television watching are a symptom, which in time adds to the already high risk of childhood ADD in those children who are allowed to watch many hours of television per day.
Television is a learning tool, and just as any other learning tool can be exploited for positive or negative results, television can be used both as an educational platform and as a way to deliver violent images and ideas to children (Jensen, 2006). The studies that show a 100% correlation between either of these two results, and them attempt to justify many social ills through television are missing the point. A correlation between achievement and television watching in general has also been disproved (Schmidt and Vendewater, 2008). Children who grow up in a less than nurturing, violent
atmosphere are going to reinforce this atmosphere with violent programming. Just as children who grow up with nurturing
parents who
stress the importance of
education and moderation are going to benefit from the wide variety of television shows that help to educate and expose children to the positives of the world. In these ways, television can be used to reinforce both socially correct and incorrect views of the world and perspectives, just as any other indoctrination tool can.
Works Cited
Dudley, William. "
Media Violence Causes
Youth Violence. "Opposing Viewpoints:
Mass Media.
San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. CUNY - Central Office. 1 Dec. 2009.
Jensen, Elizabeth. "Study Finds Test Scores Not Lowered By Television. " The New York Times. (Feb 27, 2006): C6(L). New York State Newspapers. Gale. CUNY - Central Office. 4 Dec. 2009.
McLellan,
Faith. The Lancet. London: Feb 9, 2002. Vol. 359, Iss. 9305, p. 502 (1…
