Click on the following links. Please note these will open in a new window.

James A. Anderson. The Production of Media Violence and Aggression Research: A Cultural Analysis. American Behavioral Scientist, April 2008; vol. 51, 8: pp. 1260–1279.

This study investigates the continuing production of media effects research that focuses on the media violence and aggression (MV/A) connection. It does so by analyzing the production trends and characteristics evidenced in an archive of 966 MV/A journal articles. The analysis found the archive marked by initiatives in governmental funding and private philanthropy, shifting disciplinary interests, cycles of editorial attention, and the economies of disciplinary authentication and professional legitimation. Analysis of the mainline arguments indicated a shift from an audience-activated effect to one in which the individual is an unwitting accomplice. Finally, the study showed that the continuing interest in media serves to deflect attention from much more serious (but much more costly to remedy) sources of aggression and to elevate the role of media to that same level of importance.

Jennifer A. Manganello. Teens, Dating Violence, and Media Use: A Review of the Literature and Conceptual Model for Future Research. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, January 2008; vol. 9, 1: pp. 3–18.

Dating violence is highly prevalent among adolescents. Of importance, dating violence has been associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes for teens and high-risk behaviors such as unsafe sex practices. Although a growing body of research has examined the extent and nature of this problem, little research has considered aspects of the media that might be associated with risk for teen dating violence, such as time spent using media and effects of media content. This article provides an overview of the prevalence of teen dating violence, describes the potential for assessing media use as a risk factor, offers a conceptual model, and suggests ideas for future research.