Genre Differences in the Portrayal of Social Aggression in Programs Popular with Children

Abstract

A content analysis was conducted to examine the amount and nature of social aggression across genres of programming popular among 2- to 11-year-old children. Results reveal that the reality programming genre is systematically different from the other 3 genres in terms of the amount and context of social aggression. Findings are discussed in terms of social cognitive theory.

Keywords:

• Children
• Social Aggression
• Television

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by a grant awarded to Nicole Martins from the Fred Rogers Scholarship Memorial Fund.

Notes

Note. Within rows, percentages having no subscripts in common are both statistically (p < .05) and practically (10%) different. PAT = perpetrator, aggressive act, target.

The television landscape, at least in terms of what is most popular with young children, has not changed drastically since 2005. For example, according to Nielsen Media Research (2005), the three most popular television programs (broadcast and cable) among children ages 2 to 11 in 2005 were as follows: American Idol Tuesday, American Idol Wednesday, and Spongebob Squarepants. The most recent Nielsen data for 2010 suggests that this remains relatively unchanged. Indeed, American Idol Tuesday and American Idol Wednesday were two most popular programs among children aged 2 to 11 (“20 Most Watched,” 2010). Spongebob Squarepants continues to be the most popular animated television show among children for 7 years running (Nickelodeon, 2011). Thus, at least among the most watched programs, the data do not suggest that the programming preferences among children has changed that dramatically since 2005, thus making these findings fairly generalizable to the television landscape today.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nicole Martins

Nicole Martins (PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, 2008) is an assistant professor in the Department of Telecommunications at Indiana University.

Barbara J. Wilson

Barbara J. Wilson (PhD, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 1985) is a professor in the Department of Communication and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.