Adolescent preferences for violence in television shows and music video clips

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to analyze the relationship between levels of individual aggression and preferences for watching violent content in television shows and musical video clips. The effects of age, gender, educational framework (academic high schools, vocational high schools and school dropouts) and age (15-16 yrs versus 17-18 yrs), were examined on the basis of data collected through a self-report questionnaire administered to 921 adolescents. The findings showed a significant relationship between gender, educational framework and preferences for watching violent content. No significant differences were found for age, verbal aggression or property-related aggression. The model confirmed a significant relationship between personal physical aggression levels and preference for violent content in the media: individuals with high physical aggression levels preferred watching violence as twice as much as individuals with low physical aggression levels. © 2006 A B Academic Publishers.