On Media Violence

This definitive examination of a contemporary social issue asks questions such as: How much media violence is there? What are the meanings conveyed in the way violence is portrayed? What effect does it have on viewers?

Divided into four parts, the book reviews research on media violence; re-examines existing theories of media violence; considers methodological tools used to assess media, and introduces the concept of Lineation Theory, a perspective and new theoretical approach explaining media violence.

On Media Violence is a definitive examination of this hotly debated social topic. Media scholar W. James Potter asks provocative questions such as: How much media violence is there? What are the meanings conveyed in the way violence is portrayed? What effect does it have on viewers individually, as members of particular groups, and as members of society?

The book is organized in four parts. The first part presents a thorough review of more than 40 years of research and theories about media violence. The second part is an extended critique of the assumptions and practices of that research and thinking. The book proposes re-conceptions of definitions of violence, context, levels of phenomena, the role of human development, effects, risk, and the nature of the media industries. Potter also addresses the necessity for a reconfiguration of the methodological tasks used to assess the content and effects of media violence. The final part introduces Lineation Theory, a suggested perspective and new theoretical approach explaining it.

On Media Violence is essential reading for students and scholars of Media Studies, Communication Theory, Popular Culture, Social Psychology, and Sociology. Part I of the book offers a thorough review of more than 40 years of research on media violence. Part II proposes re-conceptions of these theories, focusing in particular on violence, context, levels of phenomena, human development, effects, risk, and the media industries. In the latter half of the book, Part III addresses the necessity for a reconfiguration of the methodological tasks used to assess media violence. Part IV introduces the concept of Lineation Theory, a suggested perspective for thinking about media violence and a new theoretical approach to explaining it.

On Media Violence is essential reading for students and scholars of Media Studies, Communication Theory, Popular Culture, Social Psychology, and Sociology.