Direct and Indirect Aggression on Prime-Time Network Television

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence of 3 types of aggression on prime-time television during the spring of 2005. Verbal aggression was found to be the most prevalent, followed by indirect and physical. Physical aggression appeared more frequently among Caucasians and males. Female characters were more involved in indirect aggression, while verbal aggression was sex neutral. In general, minority racial and ethnic groups were found to be less aggressive than Caucasians. Depictions of cross-sex and cross-cultural aggression seemed relatively balanced. Social learning implications of the findings are discussed.

The daily news is filled with stories of conflict. And our TV sitcom “entertainment” is almost always based on conflict and people who handle it poorly. In fact much of the so-called “humor” in those sitcoms is nothing more than a series of destructive, damaging putdowns. As a result, I don't watch much of it.

—Dr. Alan Zimmerman (2006)

motivational speaker

Notes

*Does not include it The Contender (270 acts) and WWE Smackdown! (285 acts).

*Does not include The Contender(270 acts) and WWE Smackdown!(285 acts).

¹While reality programs are relatively unscripted, many are heavily edited in terms of the footage available for broadcast and what is actually selected by producers for viewers to see. For a more inclusive discussion of the representation of reality on reality TV, see Escoffery (2006).