Violence and the Digital Media: How does it make us feel?
By Michael Zaidel
Digital media has changed human social systems for better or worse. Has digital media changed the way that people view violence? Evidence shows that young people have become less sympathetic when viewing violence through media. The Psychology of Popular Media Culture journal completed a study where teenagers are shown violent scenes then are given psychological tests. The journal describes, noted here as well:
“Typical tests for post-play aggression include how loud a noise blast a player administers to an unseen (fictitious) subject; how much hot sauce he or she adds to food that an unseen subject will eat; and questionnaires designed to find out if the viewers or players are having aggressive feelings or thoughts.”
Teenagers that were not shown violent scenes played music quietly, used less hot sauce, and answered the questionnaire, giving non-aggressive results. Teens who were shown violent scenes played music loudly, used more hot sauce, and answered the questionnaire aggressively. These tests illustrate how teenagers in particular react to violence. Reactions can be closely associated with actions and thoughts. An individual’s reaction can also uncover feelings, such as sympathy. In people’s minds overall, violence is scary. It leaves a lasting impression on a conscience and thought process.
Some may argue that digital media makes people more sympathetic to violence acts of and scenes. However in younger ages, violence in the digital media is more likely to frighten the individual. This is especially true when “fear mongering” is used. Fear mongering occurs when an information source uses scary facts, usually negative, to frighten the individual. The scary facts overpower reasoning and logic, causing an individual to feel worried and to feel less sympathetic in general. Fear mongering’s effects can be seen in media recently, due to Ebola outbreaks. Media spits out statistics and quotes, while scary, not all may be true.
Later in life, a person will not see these acts of violence as social ills or negative acts. If the individual was raised to reject violence and be sympathetic, then violence in the digital media will cause him or her to act sympathetically towards violent acts.
Violence will not cease to exist in the world, and the media will undoubtedly report on it. To increase our sensitivity to violence, we must first teach and empower our children to decide which sources will give legitimate information. Lastly, fear mongering must be condemned and avoided.
First of all, I really enjoyed your paper. Your development and sentence structure flowed well; however, the way your organized your argument was a bit confusing. I did not realize that until the end of the paper you were arguing about two different things. You should try and restructure your paragraphs to make sure there is a clear distinction between how violence causes aggression and fear mongering. Someone who will counter argue your paper may say that your solution to the problem is not very practical. You should try to elaborate more on how we should teach and empower children to distinctively determine which sources are reliable or not. You should also discuss how fear mongering should be avoided in society. These details will strengthen your argument. I like how you credited the Psychology of Popular Media Culture journal studies to support your argument. This type of evidence does make your assertions stronger, so good job on that. Studies show many logical appeals.
LikeLike
I really enjoyed this and I totally agree! Great work!
LikeLike
I really enjoyed reading your paper! I thought you had a clear line of reasoning and great organizational structure. Furthermore, you did a good job of adding in sources and information of studies, which increases the credibility of your paper. The only thing I would consider revising is varying your sentence structure and word choice. I felt that you may have gotten repetitive with your words, so adding revamped word choice should fix that problem. Other than that, I thought you did a great job!
LikeLike
You had a very nice paper, I really like how you hyper linked your sources. You should, however, add more variety to your sentences. Everything else was fine!
-Natalie Merrida, 3rd Period.
LikeLike
Overall, you did a great job and had my attention throughout the whole paper. The way you organized your paper made everything flow together clearly. I liked how you not only gave great sources, but you justified them as well. Your conclusion, “Violence will not cease to exist in the world, and the media will undoubtedly report on it. To increase our sensitivity to violence, we must first teach and empower our children to decide which sources will give legitimate information. Lastly, fear mongering must be condemned and avoided.” was awesome and you could not have done it a better way.
LikeLike
After reading your essay a second time, I realized that if you would have elaborated on that conclusion, you could have strengthen your paper. It was a great conclusion and also a great claim.
LikeLike
Overwhelmed with such a great job done! I really liked how you linked the evidence and research into your own words. Although you could have elaborated a stronger word choice.
-Yelitza 3rd
LikeLike
This essay is very well organized! Providing evidence and crediting sources solidifies the argument. You did a great job tying your opinion to the evidence that you have. By using the counter argument and using your evidence to weaken it showed your argument’s dominance. By elaborating more on the last statement in your conclusion, you could have provided another valid point for your side of the argument and ultimately strengthened your essay.
– Monica Banda 7th
LikeLike
I think your formatting could be a little better. By that, I mean that in your first paragraph you already start using evidence and claims. I would like some more background info or a stronger thesis. Other than that, everything from evidence to analysis was good.
LikeLike
Your essay are not set up pretty well. Your first paragraph starts off with claims. It should start with a some background about the topic. You did good job with providing evidence throughout the essay.
LikeLike
Good essay. I would start out your essay with an introduction that includes a hook, something to get the reader interested, and explaining the situation without diving into the paper immediately. I thought you started off with your information a little too fast and could have added some more background information in the beginning. I think it would have made your argument stronger if you used a specific example to support your claim about statistics making things sound scary. It is easy to mislead people with statistics and I think it would have been effective in your argument to have a good example which could show that. Overall, good writing.
Aaron, 5th period
LikeLike
Overall great use of logos to present your argument, although pathos could have been used alongside with it to enhance the affect of the reader. Your facts and statistics were concrete in proving your evidence. Great use of language. Also, the flow of your sentences were great and easy to follow. Kudos on your essay.
Shardae Douglas
7th Period
LikeLike
Marissa Salinas 6th
Your first sentence bothered me. I had to read it twice. Your sentence structure is weak and I had to stop and reread the sentences a few times, try using different words and revise it closely. When you do so, read your paper out loud and it’ll help you catch your mistakes tremendously. Although your argument was concrete solid the organization of it wasn’t set up to the best ability. Going back to your introduction make sure its an INTRODCUTION not a CLAIM. Introduce to your reader what your argument topic is. Being said, with your first paragraph I should be able to tell what your paper is going to be about as well as each paragraph following the introduction.
LikeLike
Excellent and very stable throughout the entire paper. I believe your provided a good idea, strong evidence, and reasonable claims. The counter argument should be presented more so when someone tries to argue against your idea, you have a dependable source to back up your evidence. This will leave your audience without doubt, and to choose your side. I would say this, to start your paragraphs off with your claims, followed up with evidence, and then your link between the claim, evidence, and relation back to your thesis.
LikeLike
You had a great paper, I like how you hyper linked your sources. You should, add more variety to your sentences. Everything else was good put up the good work!
LikeLike
well written essay overal good job. But i think possibly working a litle on the arrangment on ur paper would not hurt. proper use of logos is astonishing i feel maybe you could instead of arguing your side shut out counter ones in your essay as well.
LikeLike
Overall very good work really organized maybe could’ve added more background but good job had evidence and answered them with your own perspective I ljked that
LikeLike
Great essay! You seemed to start out small and then it just bloomed into a well thought out paper. You could have used more pathos to make the reader feel certain emotions throughout the paper, but well thought out paper.
Juan Quiroz-Guerra 4th period
LikeLike
Your essay was very well organized and was very easy to read and follow, but there were some flaws. For example instead of putting your claim in the second sentence, introduce the reader to the topic first then state your arguement at the end of the first paragraph. Also the quote was a bit too long, try to be more precise on the quotes you use by keeping it between 6-8 words. You don’t want the essay to have too many words that aren’t yours.
LikeLike
Using facts is always a good thing, makes it harder for someone to counter argue and your essay stronger. Also, good job on proving why someone else’s counter argument would be incorrect. Although, your essay is very strong, you can never wrong with making your conclusion stronger. Leaving your reader “wowed” can go a long way. other than that, great job!
LikeLike
First of all, terrific question in first paragraph to draw in the reader! Your use of logos is on point and presented amazingly. However, I would elaborate on how we can control media displaying violence in a certain way and steps to take in order to reduce these feelings from it. Also, on your last two paragraphs, explain more on how a certain individual’s perception on violence can hinder them from feeling some type of way toward violent acts. Maybe provide the reader with an example such as if the individual was raised in a violent or calm environment? Other than that, I love this essay!
– Alexis G. 7th p
LikeLike
Do you think the problem might not only be the social media, but also the games we play? Kids these days can play M rated games like Grand Theft Auto and other games where you commit crimes and do bad things. Games like that could change your perception on violence seen in the social media. Evan N
LikeLike