Looking through Time: A Longitudinal Study of Children's Media Violence Consumption at Home and Aggressive Behaviors at School.

Many studies have shown that media violence has an effect on children's subsequent aggression. This study expands upon previous research in three directions: (1) by examining several subtypes of aggression (verbal, relational, and physical); (2) by measuring media violence exposure across three types of media (television, movies/videos, and video games); and (3) by measuring media violence exposure and aggressive/prosocial behaviors at two points in time during the school year. Two hundred thirty-six third- through fifth-grade children were surveyed. Findings indicated that children who consumed more media violence early in the school year were found to be more verbally aggressive, relationally aggressive, and physically aggressive later in the school year (by self-report, peer nomination, and teacher nomination; controlling for sex). Children who consumed more media violence early in the school year were also more likely to have a hostile attribution bias later in the school year, and to be less prosocial later in the school year (by peer- and teacher-nomination). Media violence exposure was described as a risk factor for aggressive beliefs and behaviors, and it was concluded that media violence exposure in combination with other risk factors for aggression (e.g., hostile attribution bias, sex, prior aggression) can produce an effect greater than any single risk factor. (Author/HTH)