Film : a preventer or a promoter of aggression

Abstract

Violence and aggression in film can nowadays be found in almost everything whatever the genre may be. It seems that the idea has become that aggression sells and that this will increase the films’ rating. However, such scenes may also be impacting negatively on human behaviour and therefore one has to look beyond the profit made and pay attention to external consequences.

The aim of this study is to therefore identify if in fact film is promoting aggression or if on the contrary it is helping in increasing awareness against it through the perception of society. For this purpose, the research question is as stated: To what effect (if any) is film affecting society’s actions and behaviours and whether this is causing an escalation in aggression or an increase in the prevention of it? In this context society signifies the Maltese population.

The research question was solved through a survey that was conducted with the general Maltese population at a stratified random sample as the respondents were divided depending on the age group and district. By analysing the data the researcher discovered that the majority in fact do not believe that aggression in film is increasing aggression within them or within others.

On the foundation of these results, it is suggested that scenes of aggression in film should become more limited as although most people might not be affected, those that are might become more aggressive due to the viewing of such scenes. Therefore, these scenes might still prove harmful to some and hence film producers should still practice caution.