Aggressive Acts Can Be Unlearned

Studies have shown that children in the United States see 200,000 violent acts on television by the time they turn 18. But researchers at the Stanford University Medical Center say aggressive behavior developed by such exposure can be unlearned.

One-hundred and ninety-two third- and fourth-grade students at two public elementary schools in San Jose were studied to see what effects a reduction of TV and video game use would have on behavior. At one school, such use was unchanged; at the other, students were challenged to cut down.

Researchers found that rates of aggressive acts at the school where such use was reduced dropped by 25%. And half as many incidents of verbally aggressive behavior, such as teasing, threatening or taunting, occurred on the playground.

The two schools were chosen because they shared socio-demographic characteristics. The number of televisions and video games in homes also were similar.

Students at the school where a reduction in use was encouraged were asked to limit such activities by a set amount of time and to endure a 10-day stretch in which they did not use either.