The Myth of Media Violence A Critical Introduction [Paperback]

The Myth of Media Violence: A Critical Introduction assesses the current and historical debates over violence in film, television, and video games; extends the conversation beyond simple condemnation or support; and addresses a diverse range of issues and influences.

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• Looks at the chronology of contemporary media violence, and explores reservations over communications medias throughout history.
  
• Examines the forces behind the encouraged anxieties about media violence.
  
• Uses examples drawn from a range of media, including disaster and horror movies, science fiction, film tie-in toys, crime shows, MTV, news, sports, and children’s television programming, books and video games.
  
• Includes a closing chapter about why media violence exists as it does in our culture, and what we can do about it.

Introduction: The Media Violence Tower of Babble.

1. We Like to Watch: A Brief History of Media Violence.

What is Media Violence?.

A Cacophony of Voices.

2. Watching Doesn’t Make Us Violent: Assessing the Research on Media Violence.

Media Violence in Historical Perspective.

Regulation Efforts.

Historical Continuities in Media Violence Debates.

Media Hysteria and the Culture of Fear.

The Media Hysteria Cycle.

The Win-Win Situation.

The Facts about Crime and Violence.

3. We Are Afraid: Media Violence and Society.

Identity and Fear.

Fear and Desire.

Gender and Race.

Crime and Politics.