FREQUENCY AND CHARACHTERISTICS OF VIOLENCE ON

CROATIAN NATIONAL TELEVISION

Anja Wertag¹, Ivana Šakić¹, Maja Boban¹, Ljubica Bakić-Tomić²

Students on Croatia Studies, University of Zagreb, Croatia
E-mail: anja.wertag@gmail.com, i_sakic@net.hr, mala_pcela@net.hr
² Ljubica Bakic-Tomic, Ph. D., Teaching Faculty, University of Zagreb, Croatia
lbakicto@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Within a study curriculum, a group of senior students on faculty of Croatian Studies,

University of Zagreb, conducted content analysis to determine frequency and
characteristics of violence (types of aggression as well as types of aggressive acts in
presented shows) on Croatian national television. Analysis undertook 7 days (13.-
19.02.2006.), between hours 7 am and 1 am. The programs that were taken into analysis
were: HRT1, HRT2, Nova TV and RTL. As a basic analysis unit a scene containing
violence was used. Besides types of aggression and types of aggressive acts, boundaries
for age limits were analyzed. All together, there were 867 presented shows in analysis, of
which more than half contained aggressive scenes, where was somewhat more physical
(45,4%) than verbal aggression (42,7%). In 95% of presented shows, there were no
warnings related to age boundaries. Movies, soap-operas and cartoons contained the
largest amount of violent scenes on all the analyzed programs except on HRT1, where the
largest amount of violent scenes was presented in news.

Key words: aggressive behavior, aggression in media, content analysis

INTRODUCTION

Most of the studies that were dealing with violence in media were conducted in
United States and countries of Western Europe (Cumberbatch, 1995), while there are only
few data on quantity of shown violence in media in Croatia.
National Television Violence study (1996 – 1998) determined that 61% of
program contains violence, and Oliver (1994. acc. to Anderson & Bushman, 2001) has
shown disproportion between shown violence on television (especially in so called
reality-dramas) and actual situation. According to FBI report there are 87% of nonviolent
crimes, and total of only 0,2% is related to murders. On the other hand, on television was
presented such situation that only 13% are nonviolent criminal acts, while murders take
up 50%.
 Focusing on first unwanted consequence of exposure to the violence on television,
which is learning aggressive behavior, number of longitudinal studies (for e.g. Eron,
1982; acc. to Aronson, Wilson & Akert 2005) have shown that children who see great
quantity of violence on television also express greater quantity of violence in teenage
years and as adults. Leyense’s study (Leyense et. all. 1975; acc. to Middlebrook, 1980)
with young delinquents drew a parallel between the type of the aggressive act shown on
the television and aggressive behavior preformed after. If the main subject of the shown
program was physical violence, it dominated in later behavior of subjects
Inhibitions are temporarily suppressed by the drive to act. In the long term, a
steady diet of graphic portrayals will tend to socialize viewers that strong violence is a
normal part of everyday life and that it is a successful tool in resolving conflict
(Huesmann, 1986; Huesmann et al., 1984). Thus, inhibitions gradually erode a person's
schema for violence.
Increase in probability of expressed aggressive behavior due to exposure to the shown
violence on television can originate also from disinhibition. There may be two processes
at work in disinhibition - one that explains an immediate effect and another that explains
a long term effect (Potter and Smith, 2000). In the short term effect we are dealing with
increased emotional stimulation that causes person to react aggressively, while the long
term effect goes for normalization - experiencing aggressive behavior as acceptable way
of solving problems.
Second negative effect of exposure to violence on television is desensitization
(dullness of sensitivity to aggressive events). That phenomenon has two explanations:
first, by watching violence observer accepts conviction that violence is acceptable or
even preferred in certain circumstances, and second, that watching violence promotes
tolerance to the violence in daily life (Middlebrook, 1980). Therefore, exposure to great
quantity of violence causes decrease of emotional reaction to aggressive behavior or
increased indifference towards violence that can, lead to accepting of violence as integral
part of the life. This theory was confirmed by experiment conducted by Thomas et. all.
(1982; acc. to Aronson et. all., 2005) in which it was determined that the subjects that
were exposed to greater quantity of violence have been ready to give stronger electric
shocks to their colleagues, and that they had lower emotional stimulation when compared
to control group.
Third effect of repeated exposure to violence on television is creating excessive
fear from possible victimization - people who often watch television can draw a
conclusion that world is very dangerous and unfriendly oriented place (Aronson et. all.,
2005). Gerbner et. all. (1979; acc. to Myers, 1990) have shown that people who watch
great deal of television have exaggerated frequency of violence in real world, and were
more afraid of victimization as well as suspicious and distrustful towards other people.
It was shown that children of pre-school age are watching television the most,
followed by retired people, and educated people are watching television the least (Myers,
2005). Research conducted on children’s program shows that children on average see 20
violent scenes in one hour (Gebner, 1980; Gross 1986; all acc. to Myers, 2005).
Meanwhile, problem does not represent only frequency of violence shown in children’s
program but also characteristics of violent acts in those programs. Violence is frequently
shown as morally correct (positive characters often use violence in fighting negative
characters), and that increases probability of imitation (Krcmar and Cook, 2001). Also,
Williams et. all. (1982; acc. to Wilson et. all., 2002) have shown that animated films and
cartoons contain more violence then non-animated shows for children. Regarding the fact
that animated films and cartoons are mostly shown in the spirit of humor, effects of
disinhibition and desensitization in children is increased.
In this work frequency of aggression and some characteristics of showing
aggressive scenes on leading TV stations in Croatia will be examined.
GOAL AND AIMS

Goal of analysis was to determine frequency and basic characteristics of violence

on leading TV stations in Croatia in given period.
Aims of the analysis were:
1. Determine the frequency of shown violence regarding to the type of the show and
frequency of that type of the show
2. Determine the frequency of the show of certain type of violence and frequency of
show of different types of violent acts regarding to the type of the show
3. Determine age of the viewers that show is intended for.

PROCEDURE

Period for analysis of TV programs was 7 days (from 13. – 19. February, 2006)
from 7 am until 1 am. Within given goals following TV programs were analyzed: HRT1
(First program of Croatian national television), HRT2 (Second program of Croatian
national television), Nova TV and RTL. As a basic analysis unit a scene containing
violence was used. Under such scene it was considered every scene in which one or more
persons express aggression (verbal of physical) towards other person, group of people, or
property, or verbally reporting on such an event.

Analyses matrix
Analyses matrix was used, in which certain criteria was determined for analysis
of basic unit based on following information:
1. Television program – categories: HRT1; HRT2; Nova TV; and RTL
2. Name of the show, date and time of the program
3. Type of the show – categories: played movie; animated film; serial; humor
serial; soap-opera; talk show; documentary program; informative program;
entertainment program; education program; children program; other
4. Program is intended for – categories: children and youth; adults; all
5. Type of aggression – categories: verbal; physical; verbal and physical

Judges and analysis procedure

Judges in analyses were 55 students of 4 th year of psychology on Faculty of

Croatian Studies from University of Zagreb that were previously trained to estimate.
Each of the judges were in charge for following 5 or 6 in advance determined terms
during one and half our. During analyses were not analyzed contents relating to the show
of the aggressive sports (for instance karate, kick-boxing and such) nor those showing
suicides, traffic accidents. Total number of analyzed scenes that met stated criteria was
1754.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Frequency of shown aggression regarding to the type of the show and TV station
 Regarding to the already mentioned finding that in the greatest measure we
learn and perform behavior that is most presented on television (Leyens et. all., 1975;
acc. to Middlebrook, 1980) frequency of different types of violent acts in certain types of
the shows was analyzed. It turned out that on Croatian TV stations most often is
presented quarrel (31,9%). Great number of violent scenes is related to murders (23,4%),
which is still less than half then presented in Oliver’s analysis (1994; acc. to Anderson
and Bushman, 2001). Also, fight is shown quite frequently (21,6%).
It has shown that RTL was showing the greatest number of aggressive scenes
(626 in 148 shows), and Nova TV was showing somewhat less (543 in 112 shows). HRT1
has shown 373 aggressive scenes in 148 shows, while HRT2 has shown the least violence
in their program (212 aggressive scenes in 66 shows).
Nova TV and RTL have similar profile of the program where most of the
aggressive scenes could be seen in movies, soap operas and animated films (and in the
case of RTL in humor serials), while on HRT1 most aggression could be seen in
informative programs.
The most aggressive scenes can be seen in movies (21,1%), and somewhat less
in soap-operas (18,3%). Also, greater deal of aggressive scenes can be seen in animated
films (13,6%) and informative programs (11,7%), Regarding the type of aggression
shown in certain programs, physical aggression is shown in most of the cases (45,5%),
followed by verbal aggression (42,7%). Verbal and physical aggression were shown the
least (11,9%).

Frequency of showing different types of aggressive acts regarding the type of the
program

Verbal aggression is mostly present in soap-operas (12,2%) that are known for
frequent verbal conflicts of characters, which contributes to drama in that type of the
shows. Also, more verbal aggression are in played movies (7,7%) and humor serials (6%
- in case of sarcastic comment). Physical aggression is most present in movies (10,6%).
Somewhat more of physical violence also can be seen in animated films (7,2%) and
informative programs (7%).
Quarrel as aggressive act dominates in soap operas (10,2%), as already stated.
Murders are mostly present in movies (6,4%). There are many reports on murders in
informative programs (4,8%), since they represent interesting news. Fights are mostly
present in animated films (5,5%) and somewhat less in movies (4,8%).
Regarding showed violence on television, finding from the study of informal
character (TV Guide, 1977; acc. to Myers, 2005) conducted with prisoners, shows that 9
of 10 prisoners recognized that they have learned new tricks by watching television, and
4 of 10 prisoners said that they have tried specific crime seen on television. What is also
concerning is the fact that such types of programs consisted of many violent scenes are in
great measure present on TV stations in Croatia.

Age of the viewers that show is intended for

Most of the programs are assigned for all viewers (274), in which were 1018
aggressive scenes. By frequency followed programs assigned to the adults (130), in
which were 514 aggressive scenes. In shows assigned for children (42) were 214
aggressive scenes. Although on the first hand it could seem that results are not in
accordance to Wilson’s findings (Wilson et. all., 2002 - programs assigned for the
children consist mostly of violence) it should be taken into consideration that the number
of the shows assigned to the children is very small comparing with those assigned to all
viewers and adults.
Today on TV stations there are many different types of animated films.
Nathanson (1997; acc. to Wilson et. all.., 2002) makes difference between classical,
action, futuristic and adventure animated films. Increase in number of different animated
films creates a problem not only because there is greater number of aggressive scenes in
them, but also main characters (like Spiderman) are shown as righteous characters that
are using violence against negative characters, which represents a problem if violence is
shown as morally correct. That is closely related with cognitive skill of moral reasoning
(capability to choose solutions that are ethically correct when an individual is faced with
moral dilemma), which is not developed enough in early childhood. (Krcmar & Cook,
2001). It should be clear why there is greater probability of imitating aggressive behavior
if it is presented as morally correct: ‘righteous’ characters in animated movies have good
intentions and that is the reason why their violence seems justified to children.

SPECIFIC CONCLUSIONS

1. Analysis of the contents of television programs of leading TV stations in Croatia

has shown that something more than half of the programs containes violence. From
analyzed programs, RTL has the most aggressive scenes (626 in 148 shows), Nova
TV follows (with 543 aggressive scenes in 112 shows). HRT1 has closely half the
less aggressive scenes (373 in 120 shows) while HRT2 has the least (212 aggressive
scenes in 66 shows). The most of aggressive scenes on all TV programs was shown
in movies, soap operas and animated films, except on HRT1 where most of
aggressive scenes were shown in informative programs. In general, physical
aggression is mostly often is presented (45,4%).
2. From aggressive acts the most present are quarrels (31,9%), which are most
common for the soap operas, murders (23,4%), which are most present in played
movies and informative programs, and fights (21,6%), which can most often be
seen in animated films and movies.
3. It has been shown that majority of programs are assigned to all viewers (64%),
among which there is the biggest number of soap operas (93). Significantly less of
the programs are assigned to the adults (25%), among which there are mostly
informative programs (104), while the smallest number of the programs are
assigned to children and youth (11%), among which there are most animated
movies (40). In most of the programs there is no age limit.

GENERAL CONCLUSION

This analysis shows trend of TV stations in Croatia that they are, according to
the shown program, becoming more and more alike to European and TV stations in
United States – which can have good, but also very bad consequences. As good side,
getting closer to world standards in quality of the program can be seen, but on the other
hand programs are becoming more saturated with violence and with potentially more
dangerous consequences. Fact is that world media lobbies are familiar with scientific data
on influence of violence presented on television, and that despite of that, violence
remains one of the main themes in wide variety of programs.
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