Using levels of Analysis to Understand the Influence of Violent Media on

Aggression
Introduction
This essay will discuss the levels of analysis which divides into three different
categories which plays different roles towards the media. The levels of analysis may
refer to how individuals react physically, socially and mentally as they experience the
current media which then lead to violence due to an unsatisfactory issue or from
motivation. The media violence on aggression may impact the individuals in all ages,
but especially the younger generations whose lack of experience towards the media
causes them to act violently through the influence of the media. The causes for the
levels of analysis may include the activity of the brain function or how they react and
behave towards the media and the comparison between the media and the social
life. Through these levels of analysis, it provides an understanding of how individuals
are influenced by violent media in terms of their interactions with the society and how
they behave towards other individuals after having to watch or play the violent
media.
Overview of findings on the effects of media violence on aggression
The development of the media has changed dramatically from the past. Since 1975,
violent media has not been a great of an issue because it wasnt as aggressive and
strong compared to the present times. Therefore it can be stated that children at
young age without much experience on violent media may take it personally and
intimidate the same action towards their real world. This can either be a violent
movie or a video game. Talking about movies, they have developed more violently by
adding stronger and dangerous weapons which lead to a more aggressive behaviour
and violence towards the children. Active media tends to influence towards
aggressive behaviour more than passive media. There are several reasons behind
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this issue. Firstly, in an active media which include video games, the person controls
the situation and decides whether or not they will perform a particular action as an
aggressor. Therefore, the aggression is influenced more significantly in an active
media. Secondly when it comes to facing enemies, the person will need to
understand which type of weapon or tools they need to defeat their enemies. This is
an important influence towards media violence because the player needs to behave
aggressively in order to continue with the media. In passive media however,
individuals are directly staring at a TV screen and they cannot control any situations
but to entertain them from what is going to happen. If an individual experiences this
type of media violence over a period of time, they will feel the long term effect of
continuously acting aggressive and violent and this may last throughout their lifetime.
This is a very dangerous influence especially from the childhood age where children
can learn very quickly and rarely forgets them.

Levels of Analysis Framework

Biological Level of Analysis
Biological level is the changes and functions of our body. In this case, as individuals
experience the violent media they may experience an increase of heart rate, the way
their brain functions and blood pressure. In video games, young aged individuals
may experience mild violence and realistic blood and this can cause them to be
influenced to causing any criminal activities because they have already seen what
would happen to different body parts and whether or not it will lead to pain and
death. A shooter is a shooting video game where the character can shoot the

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enemies and physically see their body reacting to pain and eventually death. This
issue can cause children to become more tempted towards crime.
Psychological Level of Analysis
Psychological level is the changes to our emotions and thoughts. As people watch or
play the violent media, it critically affects their behaviour and reactions but especially
aggression. Many people argue that their attitudes and their social interactions have
not changed after experiencing the violent media. This is considered false because it
is very rare for people to see the change for themselves. But the society thinks that
persons attitude towards even very small issue is changed through the experience
of violent media. This is what is considered dangerous because children playing
violent video games can cause them to change their thoughts and attitudes
psychologically towards the society. Some of the examples of this change can be an
increased social tone or habituation.
Environmental / Social Level of Analysis
Environmental and social level the relationship and social status individuals contain
throughout their lifetime. Religion, culture and employment all belong in this
category. Several writers (Liebert et al 1973; Tan 1981) argue that people use
violence to deal with problems with society due to the influence of violent media.
Through the exposure to TV and other violent video games, they use violence to
solve a solution towards the society and this can also include family, friends and any
other close relationships. People can also change their social norms and institution
and again further aggression to achieve their own good. For children this may
strongly affect their education and any other economic issues in their lifetime.
Conclusion

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Through these different levels of aggression, it can be identified that individuals in all
ages may act aggressively or use violence towards others or issues in society
without them noticing their own change to their attitude and behaviour. Violent media
can change the brain function of people and allow them to physically express their
aggressions. Changes to their thoughts and attitudes can also impact the society
psychologically. Not only that, but losing connections towards the society and
decreasing their social status due to aggressive thoughts and changing the social
norms. It also includes violence causing relationships between families and friends
into a decreased status, affecting the social norms such as refusing to follow the
common behaviour people share as a society. Therefore these levels of analysis can
be used to understand the influence of violent media on aggression.
Reflection
From the academic writing, I have learnt how to state the correct reasons from the
readings and use them to answer the questions explicitly. Also, Ive understood
about the subject deeper by explaining the key points of the concept.
Reference List
Anderson, C. (2004) Violence in the media: its effects on children
Victorian Parenting Centre: Young Media Australia
Potter, W. (2003) Violence in the media does not affect me, but others at high risk,
in The 11 myths of media violence, (eds), Sage publications: 48-49

John Heo -- 18361054 -- Literature Report Word Count 1079

John Heo -- 18361054 -- Literature Report Word Count 1079