Violence as Media Content, Effects of

Abstract

Discussion of the harmful effects of media violence is as old as the media themselves. There is no medium that has not been suspected of stimulating real‐world aggression. Spectacular violent acts such as those in Littleton, Colorado (where in 1999 two teenagers murdered 13 people before committing suicide), or Erfurt, Germany (where in 2002 a 19‐year‐old killed 16 other people and himself), regularly instigate public interest on this topic. Although there is a huge body of research on the effects of media violence, public discussion rarely reflects scientific knowledge (→ Entertainment, Effects of). This may be due to the fact that the results are complex, sometimes contradictory, and do not allow for simple conclusions. However, on the basis of this research some widely accepted assertions about the effects of violence in the media are possible.