ABSTRACT

This study aims to examine the correlation between the consumption of violent television content and the inclination towards violence among young individuals. Quantitative research methodology, involving statistical analysis, is utilized to address the research objectives. The research problem focuses on the substantial evidence indicating that exposure to media violence increases the likelihood of aggressive and violent behavior, both immediately and in the long term. The study emphasizes the need for more detailed research utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods. The sample was selected through a simple random technique, and data collection was done using questionnaires administered to students at the University of Buea. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyze closed-ended questions. The findings reveal that a majority of the respondents strongly agree that excessive exposure to violent content on TV leads youths to employ violent objects, such as knives, guns, and sticks, during conflicts with friends. It is recommended that parents should limit their children’s exposure to violent TV content.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

One of the significant changes in our social environment in the twentieth century is the widespread presence of mass media. Radio, television, movies, videos, video games, and computer networks have assumed central roles in our daily lives, influencing our values, beliefs, and behaviors. However, the consequences of exposure to certain elements of mass media have had particularly detrimental effects on viewers’ and society’s well-being.

Extensive research has accumulated evidence over the years that exposure to violence on television and in video games increases the risk of violent behavior among viewers. This is similar to growing up in an environment with real violence, which also heightens the risk of violent behavior. This review critically assesses the research evidence supporting this conclusion and presents the psychological theory that explains why exposure to violence has detrimental effects in the short and long term.

There have been numerous media reports documenting the escalating cases of violence among youths in tertiary institutions in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Cult clashes between rival secret cult groups have resulted in deaths or severe injuries to cult members, innocent students, and workers. Incidents of armed robbery, rape, kidnapping, and hired assassinations among students in these tertiary institutions have witnessed a noticeable increase. Newspapers frequently feature examples of these incidents (Azuatalam and Olaniyi, 2009).

The level of violence among these students poses a major problem, causing fear among students due to the harassment they face from their peers. Such problems impede the productivity and performance of teachers and students and disrupt concentration. This problem has become a normalized part of the academic experience, where Nigerian students must either tolerate it or join the violent groups. This has become a worrisome issue, and scholars and social commentators have sought to understand why young individuals who have worked hard to gain admission to tertiary institutions suddenly abandon their studies and engage in cultism and other violent criminal behaviors.

Scholars have suggested various causes, including the influence of hard drugs, poverty, family environment, peer pressure, and political influence (Severin and Tankard, 2001).

Violence affects every segment of society, and it is particularly prevalent among school-going youths and adolescents. Youth violence, especially on campuses, is a serious problem for students in tertiary institutions, with limited assistance available to them. Television violence refers to programs that contain scenes and sequences involving murder, aggressive sexual acts, ritual killings, maiming, bloodshed, armed robbery, kidnapping, war, fighting, quarreling, shouting, and the use of firearms and other dangerous weapons like clubs, truncheons, and baseball bats.

Violent crimes involve criminal activities perpetrated by individuals that often employ physical force, dangerous weapons, or firearms. Research in mass media has shown that children and youths, in particular, tend to imitate what they watch on social mediums like television. Concerns about the negative impact of television violence date back to the 1920s when critics argued that motion pictures had negative influences on children and youths. The Payne Fund, a private philanthropic organization, sponsored a series of 13 studies on the influence of movies on children in 1928. After examining film content and its impact on viewers’ behavior, the studies concluded that movies were potent sources of information, attitude, and behavior for viewers, including children and youths (Perry, 2002).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Extensive research on violent television programs, films, video games, and music provides unequivocal evidence that media violence increases the likelihood of aggressive and violent behavior in both immediate and long-term contexts. The effects are more significant for milder forms of aggression compared to severe forms, but even the effects on severe violence are substantial when compared to other risk factors. Short-term exposure to media violence increases the likelihood of physically and verbally aggressive behavior, aggressive thoughts, and aggressive emotions.

As extremely violent criminal behaviors such as forcible rape, aggravated assault, and homicide are rare, new longitudinal studies with larger samples are required to accurately estimate the extent to which habitual childhood exposure to media violence increases the risk for extreme violence. Well-supported theories explain why and when exposure to media violence heightens aggression and violence. This necessitates an investigation into the effects of violent television content on youths in Buea.

1.3 Research Questions

To what extent does exposure to violent television content impact youths? Is there a correlation between watching violent TV programs and the propensity to engage in violence among youths? To what degree do perceptions of violence in TV programs influence the way youths consume such content? 1.5 Research Objectives

Main Objectives

The study aims to determine the relationship between the consumption of violent television content and the inclination towards violence among youths.

Specific Objectives

Specifically, the study seeks to establish the correlation between watching violent TV programs and the propensity for violence among youths. It aims to ascertain the extent to which TV programs influence the perception of violence among youths who consume them. Additionally, it aims to determine the relationship between TV program preferences and the perception of violence among youths.