At the age of eight years old, Max Bonaccorsi was hospitalized after attempting to recreate a front-flip incorporated finishing move from the top half of his bunk bed, a move he had seen from Jeff Hardy, a wrestling superstar and Max’s idol. Was Max’s imitation prompted by anger he was feeling, or rather a love for his favorite wrestler who came from a similar background to himself? Considering my firsthand involvement in the affair, I can confirm it was the latter. In the study of media effects, there has been massive conflict in assessing what influences the media has on the public regarding violence. Supporters of the direct effects theory argue that exposure to portrayals of violence can cause violence in real life whereas cultural effects …show more content…
This same theory is rooted in behavioral psychology, arguing that depictions of violence in media can result in “copycat behavior” from viewers. It fails to consider how outside elements could influence this behavior. It should be noted that the violence discussed in the debate between the theories is far more serious than a reenactment of a wrestling move. However, it is necessary to recognize the audience’s interpretation of their viewing, which the direct effects theory fails to do, assuming they are “passive dupes.” Regarding violence portrayed in media, there is a continuous debate over which media effects theory is most conclusive. I believe the cultural effects theory to be the most valid as it provides research on a broader impact of media establishing it as the most widely-encompassing theory. While each theory is exclusive in its own way, the direct and limited effects theories negligence of outside social and cultural factors, factors considered to be crucial in media effects research, solidifies their exclusivity as being more disruptive to the outcome than that of the cultural effects …show more content…
Supporters of this theory cite the impressionability and vulnerability of children as a leading cause for this imitation of what is portrayed in media. But, lawyers are not alone in their support of this concept; popular culture has repeatedly expressed concern over possible media effects, while simultaneously creating the Motion Picture Association of America film rating system and the V-chip, a device on televisions which allows parents to censor viewing material. Several official government reports, organizations, and media effects researchers, uphold this notion as well. These supporters