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Sexual Violence in the Mass Media: Legal Solutions, Warnings, and Mitigation Through Education
Author(s) -
Linz Daniel,
Wilson Barbara J.,
Donnerstein Edward
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-4560.1992.tb01162.x
Subject(s) - offensive , mass media , psychological intervention , psychology , sexual violence , criminology , sexual assault , social psychology , human factors and ergonomics , poison control , computer security , internet privacy , political science , law , medical emergency , computer science , medicine , engineering , psychiatry , operations research
Depictions of sexual violence in the media can promote antisocial attitudes and behavior. Three approaches to the problem of sexual violence in the media are explored: (a) legal restrictions, (b) informational labeling, and (c) formal education. It is premature to advocate legal restrictions since existing research leaves too many questions unanswered. Informational labeling is not a viable solution because of problems inherent in the most widely used scheme, including the basic assumption that ratings should be based on what is offensive to parents rather than on what is assumed to be or known to be “harmful” to viewers. Research on educational interventions designed to mitigate the effects of exposure to sexual violence is discussed, and several promising procedures are identified.