Cartoon violence

Cartoon violence is the representation of violent actions involving animated characters and situations. This may include violence where a character is unharmed after the action has been inflicted. Animated violence is sometimes partitioned into comedic and non-comedic cartoon violence.[1]

For other uses, see Cartoon violence (disambiguation).

Influence on real-life behavior

Opinions on the influences of cartoon violence vary. Some researchers believe that high level of violence in cartoons can make children more aggressive.[2] Their studies also found that young children tend to mimic the negative behavior they see on television. Output aimed at children as young as seven, which include a number of cartoons, had the highest levels of violence. Researchers also concluded across the early and middle childhood, laboratory experiments using cartoons with comedic violence have consistently failed to demonstrate significant differences in person-oriented aggression. In contrast, field experiments have consistently shown that aggressive behavior towards peers increases following the viewing of non-comedic violent cartoons.[1]

Other researchers believe that people need to consider the ways in which children process information, the amount of mental effort they invest, and their own life experience to gain an understanding of how television violence affects children. For instance, recent research has indicated that children do not appear to mimic acts of violence in the media, whether television or cartoons.[3]

Blumberg, Bierwirth and Schwartz argue that children possess the ability to differentiate real life from animation, as well as the ability to understand right from wrong. They know that violent acts qualify as immoral and infringe on the welfare of others, therefore the violence witnessed in cartoons will register as "make believe" to children and will not be applied into their real lives.[4]

Options for parents and restriction

Effects

Effects of cartoon violence on youth remain controversial. Research has generally been divided on this issue with no consensus reached regarding the effects of violence on behavior.[1] F.C. Blumberg, K.P. Bierwirth, and A.J. Schwartz, in a 2008 paper in Early Childhood Education Journal, say that the impact of exposure to violence may remain regardless of whether children choose to imitate it.[4]

References
  1. Kirsh, Steven J. (November 28, 2005). "Cartoon violence and aggression in youth" (PDF). Aggression and Violent Behavior. Elsevier Ltd. 11 (6): 547–557. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2005.10.002.
  2. Clark, Laura (2009-03-06). "Cartoon violence 'makes children more aggressive'". London: Associated Newspapers.
  3. Christopher J. Ferguson (2010). "Video Games and Youth Violence: A Prospective Analysis in Adolescents" (PDF). Journal of Youth and Adolescence. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 25, 2012.
  4. Blumberg, F. C., Bierwirth, K. P., & Schwartz, A. J. (August 26, 2008). "Does Cartoon Violence Beget Aggressive Behavior in Real Life? An Opposing View". Early Childhood Education Journal. 36 (2): 102. doi:10.1007/s10643-008-0280-1.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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