The Effect of Violent and Melodrama Movies on Risky Decision Making and Behavioral Inhibition in Adolescents

Abstract

Introduction: Brain Functional Performance is a collection of excellent mental processing that provides a framework for achieving goals based on targeted behaviors. Disorders in executive functions make it difficult for a person to perform everyday tasks. One of the phenomena that have been highlighted in various media is the violent phenomenon that adolescents welcome with the production of violent movies. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of violent movies on risky decision making and behavioral inhibition of adolescents and compare it with melodrama. Method: This study was conducted with a quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test with a control group among 60 adolescents in Tehran (30 girls and 30 boys) using the available sampling method. For this purpose, neurological tests of Iowa Gambling and Go-No Go were used. Findings: The results showed that violent movies caused a significant increase in risky decision making (P<0.05). In addition, these types of movies caused a significant decrease in behavioral inhibition among adolescents (P<0.05). Conclusion: Movies that have a rude story and content that glorifies violence harm adolescents' decision making and deterrence, leading them to make risky decisions and inadequate inhibition.