This session began with students offering the results of their REGULATION homework task. The rest of the session was an attempt to prepare students for the homework task. Students are expected to produce a written response to the question:
'VIOLENT MEDIA CREATES VIOLENT PEOPLE.' To what extent do you agree with this statement?
The resource below is a key resource for this task. It makes reference to some relevant studies that have attempted to explain/question the extent to which media can influence human behaviour:
Part One:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIlxj5T20CI
Part Two:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKTL7Hhj3qE
Students were offered an exemplar essay that will provide a structural framework for this written task. This essay was written in 2012 and I expect students to use references that are more rooted in 2014. Below is a structure that students should follow:
- The introduction needs to provide examples of violent human behaviour that has been linked to violent media. Reference could be made to Anders Breivik, the Sandy Hook shooting in December 2012, and the horrific murder of teacher ANN MAGUIRE in Leeds earlier this year. See resource:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2615694/Loner-schoolboy-murder-suspect-enjoyed-video-games.html Students could also refer to KUBRICK's A Clockwork Orange and/or Child's Play and its alleged link to the Jamie Bulger murder. Students may also refer to video games such as MANHUNT or GRAND THEFT AUTO and the controversy linked to these games. RESEARCH REQUIRED. Stefan Pakeerah?
- The next paragraph needs to explore how MEDIA THEORY might support the idea that human behaviour can be influenced by media. Reference should be made to Bandura's SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY and his bobo doll experiment, the Ohio State University research, DESENSITISATION THEORY, CULMINATION THEORY and MARXIST THEORY. All these theories/studies suggest the media can influence human behaviour. Especially the behaviour of young children.
- Obviously....the key feature of this essay is that IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to CATEGORICALLY STATE THAT MEDIA CAN INFLUENCE HUMAN BEHAVIOUR AND MANY THEORIES CONTRADICT THE FINDINGS IN THE PREVIOUS PARAGRAPH. For example SENSITISATION THEORY. Reference could be made to RECEPTION THEORY. The critical argument needs to be precise.The challenge for you lot is to find texts that you can use to illustrate these media theories and explain clearly how these texts illustrate the media theory.
- The main philosophy that drives the idea that the media can influence human behaviour is the idea that the audience is PASSIVE. However there are many theories that view the audience as ACTIVE. People can USE violent texts in a way that is not necessarily linked to negative influence. Barker and Brooks (1998) is an interesting study. Watch the resource. PEOPLE WATCH MEDIA FOR A MYRIAD OF DIFFERENT REASONS. Reference could be made to The Uses and Gratifications Theory and Dyer's theories. Read my essay to understand how these theories can be applied to this essay. Reference should also be made to the studies referenced in the second part of the You Tube resource. PETLEY's (2011) views are quite interesting.
- CONCLUSION: Finally...the fact that REGULATION exists could suggest that media can be influential!!! The conclusion needs to be evaluative. The key point is that it is impossible to categorically state that the media can influence human behaviour. What other factors could influence our behaviour?
HOMEWORK: I need this essay BEFORE we return to BGS. Students need to email this response before Friday 31st October.
GOOD LUCK.
