Many movies, as well as fiction and nonfiction television programs, are saturated with violence. According to psychodynamics theory, movie and television violence should be a cathartic pot of gold. But social learning theorists argue that by providing numerous aggressive models - including many who are reinforced - television violence is more likely to increase viewers' aggressive behavior than to reduce it. Headline-making "copycat" acts of violence clearly illustrate social learning effects. Still, hundreds of millions …showed first 75 words of 1078 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1078 total…P., Smailes, E. M., Kasen, S., & Brook, J.S. (2002). Television viewing and aggression behavior during adolescence and adulthood. Science, 295, 2468-2471. Tannenbaum, P. H. & Zillman, D., "Emotional arousal in the facilitation of aggression through communication", in L. Berkowitz (ed.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, Vol. 8, New York: Academic Press, 1975. Comstock, G. & Lindsey, G., Television and Human Behavior: The Research Horizon, Future and Present, R-1748-CF, Santa Monica, CA: Rand, June 1975.