Science Fair Projects on Media Violence

This is the continuation of the research paper which has has been submitted to the Online Cool Science Fair Contest.

To see the beginning of Jeffrey's project, read about science fair projects on violent video games.

science fair projects on media violence

Scientists now understand that during the stress response an important chemical system becomes activated. Researchers have labeled this system the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis). When a situation is perceived as stressful, a deep brain structure called the hypothalamus releases a hormone called CRF, which triggers the nearby pituitary gland to release the hormone ACTH. ACTH then travels through the bloodstream to the adrenal glands located on top of the kidney. The adrenals are then stimulated to release the stress hormones known as corticosteroid and catecholamine. These hormones then initiate the “flight-or-flight” response. By increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, and organism is ready to either fight or flee from a threatening situation.

In order to understand the role of the hypothalamus in the “fight-or flight” response, one must understand its function in the broader brain structure called the limbic system. The limbic system, which includes the hypothalamus, thalamus, amygdala, and other structures, is not only important for the “fight-or-flight” response. It is also an essential part of the complex circuitry needed for learning, integrating past and present experiences, controlling aggressive behavior, and feeling or expressing emotions. The limbic system receives information from the cerebral cortex, the outer surface of the brain which integrates information about the environment from our senses. On a molecular level, scientists understand that the limbic system is mediated by two neurotransmitters called nor pinephrine and serotonin. Brainstem neurons containing nor epinephrine signal neurons containing serotonin, which then connect to the hypothalamus of the limbic system creating the “fight-or-flight” response. This complex system is therefore in place so that an organism can react when its survival is threatened.

Understanding the stress response if also important, because chronic stress has a detrimental effect on an organism. Chronically elevated corticosteroid levels can precipitate high blood pressure leading to heart disease. Stress hormones can also over stimulate and weaken the immune system, leading to frequent infections and illnesses known as autoimmune diseases. Stress hormones can cross into the brain and shrink the hippocampus, a brain structure important in memory and learning. And lastly, chronic stress deregulates the brain neurotransmitters, leading to illnesses like anxiety and depression.

Now that we understand stress and the complex stress response, we can step back and review the literature on the effects of media violence. We already know by work from Johnson and others that there is a link between violent television exposure and aggression in children and young adults. Bryant has determined that violent television leads to anxiety, mistrust of others, and fear of personal safety. Potter has concluded that women report more frightening reactions to media coverage than men. However, Cantril has suggested that one’s personality determines his reaction to frightening TV content more than any other factor. This personality factor has been called the ”locus of control”, and can be measured by a psychological survey. Locus of control is the term used to describe the extent to which a person feels he is in control of his environment. Those with an external locus of control are more fearful and thus more affected by the media.

An interesting study was conducted concerning the effect of 9/11 TV coverage on university undergraduates. After looking at issues of safety, mistrust, gender, and locus of control, the researchers came up with the following conclusions. Overall, people did not feel less safe or mistrustful of others due to the events of 9/11. They only felt more anxious of becoming a victim of a terrorist attack. Females did react more strongly than males, but more importantly, personality traits such as locus of control had more of an impact on a person’s response to media violence.

In conclusion, Congress and the medical community have had ongoing concerns about the effects of media violence on our society. Research on stress and the stress response reveal than an organism reacts to threatening stimuli with a complex system of neural and hormonal responses. Chronic stress produces damaging effects on multiple body systems. Research on the effects of media violence indicate that some people react with anxiety or aggression. On a molecular level, scientists are still uncovering how neurotransmitters ricochet around the brain and transmit what threats we see with our eyes to what we feel with our emotions We may always be bombarded with violent images in our society, but further studies are still needed to understand its impact on our well being.

Bibliography

“Adolescent Stress may Change Brain During Adulthood.” Mental Health Weekly. 8 December 2003.

http://web2.infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/9/899/46313012w2/purl=rcl_GRGM_O.

Anderson, Craig and Brad Bushman. “The Effects of Media Violence on Society.” Science. 29 March 2002.

http://web2.infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/552/834/46314884w2/purl=rcl_GRGM_O.

Corcoran, Kevin and Joel Fischer. Measures for Clinical Practice: A Sourcebook. The Free Press, 1987.

Lupien, Sonia. “Stress-Function-Morphology Correlations in the Brain.” Access Science @ McGraw-Hill.

http://www.accessscience.com/server-java/Arknoid/science/AS/ResUpdates/2003/YB_0313.

Peele, Talmage. The Neuroanatomic Basis for Clinical Neurology. McGraw-Hill Company, 1977.

Rubin, Alan, et al. “Television Exposure Not Predictive of Terrorism Fear.” Newspaper Research Journal. Winter 2003.

http://web2.infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/552/834/46314884w2/purl=rcl_GRGM_O.

Stahl, Stephen. Essential Psychopharmacology: Neuroscientific Basis and Practical Applications. Cambridge University Press, 2000.

Walling, Anne. “Teenagers and Television.” American Family Physician. September 1990.

http://web4.infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/892/799/46417787w4/purl=rcl_HRCA_O.

Keep reading this science fair project at science fair projects on gender and violence.

We live near Chicago and crime is up, so the media tells use. Just listening to the news is a violent experience! That is why Science Fair Projects like this one are so important for kids to do because it heightens their awareness and they become more sensitive to the effects.