Factors Moderating the Effect of Televised Aggression on Viewer Behavior

Abstract

Soem researchers and theorists still question the existence of a link between televised aggression and aggression by viewers of televised aggression, but most quantitative reviews of the literature have reported overall positive linear relationships. Using basic learning theory, a sample of correlational studies, and a meta-analytic strategy, this article posits and tests for an asymptotic effect of televised aggression on viewer aggression. This effect is tested across time and via type of population. This review also tests prespecified moderators of the overall effect based on predictions from cognitive social learning theories. The overall relationship between televised aggression and viewer aggression was positive (d = 0.21) and significantly different from zero. An asymptotic effect was detected for the overall results and across exposure and outcome measures. The prespecified social learning-based moderators were also supported. Theoretical and applied policy implications of the results are discussed.