Does television have a malign influence on society? Essay

Collins Dictionary (2009) defines goggle box as the governing body or process of producing a moving image with accompanying fundamental on a distant screen. This move will discuss the rattling debateable subject of tv receiver. It will explore if night club as a entirely is specifyd by mooting, what effect viewing has on case-by-cases and if idiot box is linked to wellness concerns. The beneficial aspects of picture will also be discussed and if this strong point was to be expunged, would this possibly put one across a detrimental effect?As with an essay of this type, it will be as balanced as possible, with statistics, explore and prevalent opinion to achieve a balanced conclusion. A vulgar misconception is that television causes violence and is a contributor to crime. One such case is that of throng Bulger, in which Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, both aged 10 proceeded to abduct a yearling from a busy shopping precinct. After this abduction they repeatedly b eat the bambino and left him for dead.Speculation was widely conveyed to the causal effect of violence portrayed on the big screen, with films as nippers play cosmos at the fore front line, leading to a change in censorship laws in 1994. Whereas, Japan famous for television movies that show extreme violence, crime judge be low, much lower than that of the westernised world (The British Journal of Criminology 1999). some other point to consider is that television is responsible for the append in Anti- favorable deportment Orders (ASBOs).The research undertaken has cerebrate a behavioural link in the ground forces and western countries over several years. In recent studies numerous criminals grow confessed to influence of actions portrayed on television (Gunter, 2008). However, in that location is no classical link between television and ASBOs this is usually determined by other social factors, such as family, surroundings, personality traits, peers and other factors. T he coterminous geographic expedition into television viewing is that of advertisements.Advertising in the UK has risen by thirty percent with the introduction of to a greater extent channels in the detain ten years (Guardian. co. uk 2009). goggle box is being abused for commercial purposes, in which audiences are being sold to. The aim of this is to promote the product as a solution to a problem or the fulfilment of a swear that give the bounce nevertheless be achieved by purchasing this accompaniment (Mander, 1978). It is agued that television affects the human mind by, limiting the possibilities of conscious choice and promotes a consumer society.On the other hand, television is not the solitary(prenominal) tool for advertisement. As a nation there is a constant spoon-feeding of products to stimulate the desire to purchase. These include advertisement boards, the radio, newspapers and mail, this constant bombardment has a causal effect, of a need to being the first to na me the latest deals and products. However, television discontinues the consumer choices and discipline to a variety of products which gives a better understanding in their purchases. boob tube in the UK has sh testify that it stooge be financed without the influx of advertising fees.The BBC is paid for from licensing fees and many commercial parcel outers are forthwith increasingly promoting pay-per view natural selections (Inside TV, 2009). Many arguments line up to the fact of being forced to pay for the license fee, whereas the pay-per view option is less obtrusive allowing people to make up their own minds. The exploration of television brings to light that of chaste behaviour. A large proportion of television audiences consist of teenagers, these are extremely susceptible to what is seen as their moral value are currently in development (Banerjee, 2005).Humans in the developmental process learn by imitation, normally in the figure of speech of a visual aid by mimickin g actions by others. One such subject area was made by Albert Bandura by use of the Bobo doll in 1961. This take apart was compiled of children who were shown acts of verbal and physical violence inflicted on an inflatable Bobo doll. Although, the results were deemed inconclusive there was a distinct consanguinity between the acts of violence viewed to the actual acts of ill will the children per tracked.The developmental formation of a young persons head is at a quantify linked to a causal effect of imitation (Bandura, 1961). holiness ass therefore be learned or imitated from acts of violence and unhomogeneous stereotyping promoted by television viewing. goggle boxs impact on the morality of younger mortals sess affect the future of society on a negative plain. In contrast, most influence that children experience in the supplemental development of moral set results from family, friends, religion or even school (Morrison, 1997).Parents and teachers who are incapable(p ) of setting strict moral morals can have an crying(prenominal) effect on children with their social environment, friends and state of living being contributing(prenominal) factors. Cultural capability in television has lowly or no sustenance. This is a strong statement with stimulate evidence to support this view. Television is a powerful tool for delivering information to the viewer in low-pitched concentrated doses this causes fluctuation in the absorption rate and gives people precise narrow-minded views of cultural diversity.Most television programs have the purpose of socialize the viewer only which extends to the multitude of films for the deliverance of commercial intent with little actual cultural value. From a religious perspective, television is seen as a temple of mass production, creating shallow values and stereotypes that influence modern society. Television is a form of stimulus only, with the need to experience feelings and emotions in the content consumed, causing an imbalance in serotonin levels.As stated by Dr Dimitri Christakis, television can cause the developing mind to experience affected levels of stimulation (The Elephant in the living room, 2007). This Hollywood model of producing programming for diversion purposes can only produce a society of negative values and views, losing regional traditions and diversity for ratings. Contrary to this, there are now more scientific and cultural programs available since the introduction of digital television. People have access to channels that now cater for almost any interest, large(p) new educational opportunities for society.Information in this medium encourages the individual to participate in society, keeping them informed with current affairs and politics. Certain programs allow viewers to establish closer links between politicians and electors, resulting in a more unified society. Self-expression and more opportunities are fashioned through the medium of television allowing a m ore open society, allowing the viewer to express their own thoughts and ideas. Moreover, with the introduction of interactive digital viewing this ensues opportunities for society in the future.A contradictory argument, but also a valid point is that television viewing constricts magazine resulting in an unfulfilled life. Most recreational time is spent sitting in front of the television data compiled has concluded that a correlation exists between television and health concerns. Childhood corpulency has increased in the UK by seventeen percent in the depart ten years as a result of more programs directly focused on the youth of society (Times online, 2006). The average British child is disbursal thirty-six hours honoring television composition only expenditure thirty hours in school.Studies have shown that most children between the ages of two and fifteen have a television in their room, which remains unmonitored by guardians, allowing problematical content to be viewed by i mpressionable minds (Mail online, 2006). In addition, research undertaken has shown an increase in autism over the last thirty years with a relationship to television with ninety thousand cases recorded in Britain alone. The lead investigator Michael Warden has determined that of the research conducted although not conclusive this is a very compelling case for the effect of television on society.Increased programming in which caters for all results in reduced recreational time. This includes social interaction, discouraging behave and improving the quality of real life by narrowing societies view on the world. However, as in most cases this is the conscientious choice of an individual they are able to choose how to spend their recreational time. As previously mentioned, children learn by imitation and the blame should be with the parents not with television. Social environment and lifestyle determines the arrangement television has on the recreational time of an individual, not t he opposite (Telegraph, 2008).Although research has shown that eleven to fifteen year olds are spending fifty-five percent of their waking life in front of television, this research does not correlate to this medium only. Many children are now spending less time than they were ten years ago watching television. With the introduction of a techno-junkie society many children are now spending more time pursuing interests on the internet, iPods and texting. In many cases this form of communication is how the youth of society conform to one another, sometimes while in the equal room.Finally, television has been determined in part to be the cause of the well known psychological problem of depression. The increased popularity of television has resulted in the increase of this phenomenon, as indicated in many scientific conclusions on this subject. This is resulted from the broadcasting of violence, aggression, crimes and wars not only in films but depicted on the daily news. This indicati on to current events can trigger emotions and effect how the individual looks at society.As perceptions of the world come to conform to the depictions they see on TV, they become more passive, more anxious, and more dreadful. Gerbner calls this the Mean World Syndrome. This fear can result in a breakdown in society, as people become too afraid to stones throw outside into a world of nothing but horror and despair (Gerbner, 1998). A think conducted on television and urban lighting concluded that the lighting can have a distinct causal effect with depression (Behavioural judgment Research, 2009). The researchers stated, that exposure to unnatural lighting can induce significant changes in affect (mood). Movies and television programs therefore, that emanates dark imagery support scientific research that this encourages psychological tension, pessimism and negative emotions. Consequently, the research and results are inconclusive with no classic association between television an d depression can be be that is beyond reproach. As regards to depiction of violence in the news, people have the right to be informed of the world in which they live.This should include the problems that nations causa through visceral images that represent the reality of events honestly, being the first step to solving them. Television programmes can be a source for frolic and positive emotional reactions. Certain programs allow laughter and happiness to be expelled as a family, an individual or with friends. Many positive emotions can be shared with a variety of genres readily available to watch, this can include television shows, comedies, musical channels and the list is virtually endless.This form of relaxation enables society to experience positive emotions, even if this is possibly only in the short term to assist in taking their minds despatch their troubles. To conclude, television has varying amounts of evidence in support of it having an influence on society. From the evidence provided it shows that it seems to have an almost overwhelming case that this is a ill-use influence. However, none of the evidence is universally accepted and research has proven only that more research is needed to give a more unambiguous answer.This inconclusive evidence is the reason that television is commissioned to still broadcast material. Although, information is limited by the production companies, it is proven to be a resourceful tool for education. Television can unite families together in laughter and produce a topic for discussion, while at the same time bringing a nation together for a common interest. The educational benefits, social benefits and financial gain is the reason why television has not been removed completely, regardless of the controversial arguments against the usefulness of this medium.Additionally, this brings to question the ethics behind television broadcasting and content. Thus, bringing to light the question is this influence on society a method of transmitting the thoughts and ideas of the leaders of the artless? Or, is this a form of control for the masses, to create a susceptible society?BibliographyAll Academic Research (n. d. ) Television and Childrens Moral conclude Development of a Standardized Measure of Moral Reasoning on Interpersonal Violence. Available from http//www. allacademic. com/ meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/2/3/3/4/1/p233419_index. html, accessed 29 December 2009http//www.open2.net/