List date(s) this work was published or aired.
5-Oct-12
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
In July of 2012, a mass shooting occurred inside of a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, during a midnight screening of the film, “The Dark Knight Rises.” After setting off tear gas grenades, a gunman shot into the audience, killing 12 people and injuring 58 others. Hours after the tragedy, reporters, the public and experts began speculating about causes. My article uses statements from psychiatrists and other behavioral health experts along with conclusions from research studies to explore the impact of violence in films, TV and video games on behavior. Some significant findings–while the public’s perception is that violence has increased, in reality, the number of violent crimes has been falling; most murderers know their victims; studies of violent video games indicate they are a causal risk factor for increased aggressive behavior; there is growing evidence that high exposure to fast-paced violent games can lead to changes in brain function when processing violent images; and some mentally ill individuals are vulnerable to dramatized violence.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
I reviewed several research studies on media violence and effects on behavior, read through a 2002 report by the US Secret Service on 37 incidents of school shootings and school attacks, found policy statements on media violence from medical and psychological associations and read media reports about the Aurora tragedy and other shootings.
Explain types of human sources used.
I interviewed Emanuel Tanay, MD, who had been a forensic psychiatrist for more than 50 years; psychologist Craig Anderson, PhD, director of the Center for the Study of Violence at Iowa State University; and Douglas Gentile, PhD, associate professor of psychology at Ohio State University, who identified media exposure to violence as one of six risk factors for predicting later aggression.
Results:
Article stimulated some comments from psychiatrists reading it.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Take time to do your homework. Use PubMed to find research studies on media violence and behavior and to identify experts you can contact. Look for policy statements from key associations. Go to clinicaltrials.gov to find ongoing studies.