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This study poses two questions about the portrayals of aggressive behavior on non‐fictional television programs. First, to what extent do the patterns of antisocial activity in televised non‐fictional programming correspond to patterns in the real world? These patterns were assessed by comparing the patterns of criminal acts, as well as the demographics of the perpetrators and victims. Second, what is the meaning of the antisocial activity? An answer to this question is constructed through an analysis of contextual variables of consequences, reward/punishments, intention, and style. The data base for the analysis contains 2126 antisocial acts found in a composite week of 65.5 hours of non‐fiction television programming.
The patterns of antisocial activity presented in non‐fictional television were not found to correspond well with patterns in the real world. Also, contextual patterns (low rates of punishment, high rates of absence of negative consequences, high prevalence of intentions) would increase the likelihood that viewers would be negatively influenced by this type of content.
