Mean World Syndrome Analysis

In response to the growing amount of violence displayed on television, researcher George Gerbner coined the term “mean world syndrome” to describe the psychological effect violent media had on consumers. He believed that constant exposure to these images would cause people to become “more susceptible to deceptively simple, strong, tough measures and hardline postures” and “may accept and even welcome repression” [Hanson]. While television is the most accused broadcaster of these messages, almost every form of media perpetuates violent messages and images in some shape or form. While these messages are not necessarily harmful at first glance, consistent exposure to these images from an early age may be detrimental to a person’s perception of violence later in life. The exposure of violence, …show more content…
While this theory is impossible to either completely prove or disprove, many people have since speculated the real answer to Gerber’s question. This debate began long before the invention of the internet, but has skyrocketed since its conception because of its ability to give anyone faster and easier access to any type of information. This information can, in certain circumstances, present itself as highly inappropriate for the person seeking it. This can be said for children exposed to media such as television, video games, music and broadcast media which displays graphically violent images and situations. These can have negative psychological and cognitive effects on children as they grow up as they respond to violence outside of the computer screen. The violence displayed in media, if not carefully monitored and addressed, can result in outward physical outbursts of violence in children, as well as affecting the way they view violence afflicted onto