TV Violence Poses Risk to Viewers, Study Says

Violence on television poses substantial risks of “harmful effects” to viewers, according to the first report in a three-year study designed to be the most intensive and comprehensive look at TV violence ever conducted.

The first phase in the National Television Violence Study, commissioned by the cable television industry, also concluded that the majority of programs on cable and network television contain violence, that perpetrators of violent acts largely go unpunished and that most violent portrayals do not show the negative consequences of the acts.

“The risks of viewing the most common depictions of televised violence include learning to behave violently, becoming more desensitized to the harmful consequences of violence and becoming more fearful of being attacked,” said the study, released Tuesday. “Thus, there are substantial risks of harmful effects from viewing violence throughout the television environment.”

Added Barbara Wilson, associate professor of communication at UC Santa Barbara, one of four universities conducting the study: “We know from research that pain cues and depiction of physical harm can inhibit the learning of aggression and imitation of aggression. If you show harm and pain in the context of violence, people are less likely to imitate violence.”

But 47% of all violent conflicts on TV show no harm to victims, and 58% show no pain, the report said. It added that only 16% of all programs show the long-term negative effects of violence, such as psychological, emotional or financial harm.

Perpetrators of violent acts on TV go unpunished 73% of the time. “When violence is presented without punishment, viewers are more likely to learn the lesson that violence is successful,” the researchers concluded.

To the industry’s credit, the study said, TV violence is usually not explicit or graphic, although one of four violent interactions involves a handgun. But only 4% of violent programs emphasize an anti-violence theme, it noted, with very few programs placing an emphasis on condemning violence or showing nonviolent alternatives to solving problems.

Martin Franks, senior vice president of CBS, said he had not seen the study but added that, from what he had read in news accounts, “I’d have to say that every other credible study on violence has reached a dramatically different conclusion.”

ABC, NBC and Fox had no immediate comment on the study.

The findings could provide ammunition to President Clinton and federal lawmakers who have been criticizing the violent content of movies, records and television programs. Clinton has scheduled a meeting Feb. 29 with television executives to discuss programming concerns.

Among the study’s recommendations was that public-policy leaders consider “the feasibility of technology that would allow parents to restrict access [by their children] to inappropriate content.” Such technology--the so-called V-chip--was approved by Congress last week, but the broadcast networks have balked at setting up the ratings system that is needed so the V-chip could block programming that parents considered objectionable.

Sen. Paul Simon (D-Ill.), who has been spearheading a move in Congress against TV violence, praised the study.

“This is a solid report that should be a strong signal to the TV industry and to the public that glorified violence is harmful and that we still need improvement,” Simon said Tuesday. “It’s timely and will help set the stage for the White House conference on TV violence later this month. The report will help the industry, the public and the researchers speak the same language about violence and its uses and abuses on television. It is full of recommendations that I hope the industry will consider and use.”

The study recommended that the television industry and producers put on more programs that avoid violence, increase the portrayals of “powerful nonviolent” heroes and increase the number of viewer advisories. It also recommended that parents watch and critically evaluate TV with their children.

Researchers from UC Santa Barbara, the University of North Carolina, the University of Texas and the University of Wisconsin based their conclusions on programs from 23 cable and broadcast channels, including PBS, during the 1994-95 season. They looked at approximately 2,500 hours of entertainment series, movies and “reality” programs, but excluded sports and nightly newscasts.

The researchers found there were notable difference in violence across TV channels. Public broadcasting presented the lowest percentage of violent programming--18%--and those acts shown posed the least risk of harmful effects. Pay-TV channels such as HBO and Showtime presented the highest percentage of violent programs--85%--and those programs posed a greater risk of harm than most violent portrayals shown.

Broadcast networks presented violent shows less frequently--44%--than the industry norm of 57%, but when violence is included in network programs, its “contextual features are just as problematic” as those on other channels, the study said.

The National Cable Television Assn., which commissioned the study, reacted favorably to the report.

“We’re not looking at this as a negative--it has some good information in it,” said Bridgit Blumberg, a spokeswoman for the association. “We recognize that there is a problem with violence on television, and such a comprehensive study as this one would reflect that. We started an initiative several years ago to address the concerns about violence. Our concern throughout has been the effects of violence on children. This is the most rigorous and comprehensive study done. It’s an honest, objective look.”

Times staff writer Jane Hall contributed to this story from New York.