Predictors of Violent Media Consumption

• In Event: Crime Policy and the Media

Abstract

The news media and public officials have, in a variety of circumstances, drawn connections between violent media, particularly video games, and acts of violence. Although a large number of studies have investigated this alleged connection, few have examined the possible causes of playing violent video games. This largely ignored gap in knowledge is vital, especially if violent game play acts as a mediating effect or has a spurious relationship to violence as some scholars have charged. This study uses self-report youth data from multiple datasets to explore possible predictors of violent media consumption. Results suggest that various factors, especially some relating to parenting, may explain why some youth are more likely than others to consume violent media. Implications for future research will also be discussed.

Author

• Whitney DeCamp, Western Michigan University