General Discussion Violent People React Differently to Violent Movies, Research Shows

Shawn Hopkins submitted a new blog post:

Violent People React Differently to Violent Movies, Research Shows

Does consuming violent media inspire real-world aggression and violence? A new study hints that there probably isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on whether your brain is already wired for aggression.

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the NIH Intramural Program set up an experiment to measure brain activity in response to violent media in two groups of men. One group had a history of violent tendencies including assault, the other did not.

The experiment...

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Continue reading the Original Blog Post

It would be difficult though to keep violent people from watching violent movies. How in the world could that possibly be accomplished? However, at least we know that some of the concern about violent movies and games, at least in regards to non-violent people, is overblown. Again we see that in order to keep stuff out of the hands of those who are negatively influenced by it, is to ban it for everyone. That would make a very dull world, indeed.

Perhaps the best solution is to try to improve the parenting and environment of children so certain violent prone personalities don't reach full potential. In that case, violent movies and games wouldn't influence them as much. In other words, just cause someone has the potential for something, doesn't mean they will act on it.

The truth is that these people you think are violent in nature were not born violent they adapted to their environment. Just like the researchers said kids who tend to be violent can be raised in a way that their violence doesn't materialise. The best thing is not to judge them and show them love for who they are. I wouldn't recommend prohibiting them to watch the movies, this might backfire on your face.

ptahm22 said:

The truth is that these people you think are violent in nature were not born violent they adapted to their environment. Just like the researchers said kids who tend to be violent can be raised in a way that their violence doesn't materialise. The best thing is not to judge them and show them love for who they are. I wouldn't recommend prohibiting them to watch the movies, this might backfire on your face.

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Very true. There is nothing called a born criminal. It is the circumstances that make a person criminal. If a boy is born and brought up in a criminal background he is more likely to be a criminal. This is not like his brain is already wired for a criminal output even before he is born.

I think a criminal behavior is hidden inside everybody and it comes out when we call for it. I do believe that violent and aggressive movies inspire people to do anti-social activities and there should be some control on it. But we can't ask somebody to refrain from watching violent movies. That is their personal freedom and what is required is a law in force to limit such movies. Something like educating people or an awareness initiative can also go a long way in this regard.

It is a known fact that what we see through videos lingers in our mind deeply and stays for a long period of time. Then why can't we use this technology for a better tomorrow.