Answer

Article Critique:

Violent Media Increases Aggression in Children

Summary

 Bushman, Gollwitzer, and Cruz (2015), in their study There Is Broad Consensus: Media Researchers Agree That Violent Media Increase Aggression in Children and Pediatricians and Parents Concur, evaluate the hypothesis that media researchers could be divided on the issue of whether violent media leads to increased aggression in children. The authors also compare responses of media researchers with those of parents and pediatricians.  After the study, the authors established that all media personnel, parents, and pediatricians agree that exposure to violent media encourages aggression among children. A key finding was that violent video games and movies have a high impact on children’s aggressive behavior compared to other violent media. However, the respondent groups differed on the propensity of violent media leading to real-life violence in children. In this regard, media researchers feel that violent media cannot lead to real-life violence in children, while parents and pediatricians differ with this observation.  Notably, it was essential to understand the variations between violence and aggression. In this regard, Bushman, Gollwitzer, and Cruz (2015) state that “aggression refers to any behavior that is intended to harm any person who does not want to be harmed” (p.201). On the other hand, violence is aggression whose goal is extreme physical harm.            

Analysis

            The study by Bushman, Gollwitzer, and Cruz (2015) remained objective as they focused on meeting specific goals that led to the evaluation of the research questions. Notably, the definition of the variation between violence and aggression was ideal as the two terms are commonly confused. As such, the authors enhanced the clarity of their study.  The use of a relatively large population for the study was also ideal in improving validity. Notably, all the participant categories had over 90 individuals, which is a large number considering that some specialists are specialists.  Furthermore, validity is enhanced by the use of an anonymous survey. Ideally, eliminating the need to know one’s identity helps improve the accuracy of responses as respondents are not afraid of getting into trouble if they offer contradictory remarks as opposed to what their peers, superiors, or community believes. Lastly, the use of valid references to support arguments in the paper is ideal as it enhances validity. For instance, the authors quote Martins et al. (2013) when they assert that “media industries contribute to continued public debate due to their vested interest in keeping the public uncertain about whether violent media increase aggression” (p.207).

Application

            The general consensus established in the article that media researchers, parents, and pediatricians agree that violent media leads to aggression in children is vital. Notably, I will apply the knowledge to determine the type of content I feed to children.  In this regard, I will focus on exposing them to non-violence media and experiences. The conduct will not only apply in my professional conduct but also to personal life when relating to my young siblings.  Moreover, the study indicated that children learn practically by seeing and observing. Therefore, in all my professional engagements, when I want to teach children or influence them, I will adopt the practical approach of teaching them rather than only talking to them.