Reflect On Two To Three TV Shows With Notable Characters

Reflect On Two To Three 2 3 Tv Shows In Which Characters Demonstrate

Reflect on two to three (2-3) TV shows in which characters demonstrate aggression or violence. Consider the context in which this aggression or violence occurred and ways in which it can lead to desensitization. Write a one to two (1-2) page paper in which you: Briefly describe at least one (1) episode of a television show in which you observed aggression or violence. Identify the context in which the character(s) demonstrated aggression or violence. Include the gender, age, and culture of the character(s) involved in the aggressive or violent act(s).

Discuss at least two (2) possible reasons why the selected TV episode included aggression or violence. Provide a rationale for your response. Describe at least two (2) ways that media violence can cause desensitization in people. Justify your response. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.

Check with your professor for any additional instructions. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required assignment page length.

Paper For Above instruction

Television shows serve as powerful media that can influence viewers' perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors, especially regarding aggression and violence. Exposure to violent content is widespread, and understanding the contexts and potential psychological effects, such as desensitization, is crucial in media analysis. This paper examines three TV shows—"Game of Thrones," "The Walking Dead," and "Breaking Bad"—where characters exhibit aggression or violence, analyzing specific episodes, reasons for such depiction, and the impact of media violence on audiences.

Episode Descriptions and Contexts

In "Game of Thrones," Season 3, Episode 9 ("The Rains of Castamere"), the violence is profound and significant, depicting the infamous "Red Wedding." This episode involves multiple characters, including Catelyn Stark (female, Caucasian, in her thirties) and Robb Stark (male, in his twenties), caught in a brutal massacre during a wedding feast. The violence occurs within a cultural context of political betrayal and war, where loyalty and survival are at stake. The massacre illustrates the brutality of Westerosi politics, where violence is a tool for power consolidation.

"The Walking Dead" Season 4, Episode 8 ("Too Far Gone") features intense violent confrontations between survivors and zombie hordes. Rick Grimes (male, middle-aged, Caucasian) and other characters, such as Carol (female, thirties), experience violence during a prison attack, involving gunfire, explosions, and murder. The violence stems from the survivalist context of a post-apocalyptic world, where lawlessness fosters frequent outbreaks of aggression and conflict.

"Breaking Bad," Season 4, Episode 13 ("Face Off") showcases the violent showdown between Walter White (male, middle-aged, Caucasian) and his adversaries. The episode culminates in a dramatic explosion resulting from orchestrated violence, illustrating the destructive consequences of criminal endeavors and moral decline. The violent acts are driven by the characters’ motivations for power, control, and survival in an ethical gray area.

Reasons for Including Violence

One reason these shows include violence is to depict realistic representations of their narrative worlds. In "Game of Thrones," violence underscores the brutal reality of medieval-inspired power struggles, emphasizing themes of betrayal, loyalty, and the cost of ambition. The graphic scenes provide authenticity, immersing viewers in a complex political landscape.

Another reason is to evoke emotional responses and create drama. In "The Walking Dead," violence heightens tension and stakes, reinforcing the danger of the environment and the desperation of survival. It also reflects the psychological trauma faced by characters, making their struggles relatable and intense.

A third reason, particularly in "Breaking Bad," is to illustrate the moral deterioration and consequences of illegal drug trade. Violent acts reveal the escalating consequences of Walter White’s choices and the chaos that ensues from unethical decisions. The violence serves to heighten the narrative’s gravity and moral complexity.

Media Violence and Desensitization

Media violence can cause desensitization by reducing emotional responsiveness to real violence over time. First, repeated exposure to violent scenes can diminish empathy for victims, leading viewers to view violence as less shocking or distressing. A study by Bushman and Anderson (2009) supports this, indicating that frequent exposure to media violence correlates with decreased sensitivity to real-world violence.

Second, media violence can normalize aggressive behavior, making it seem like a typical response to conflicts. When violence is often portrayed as an effective or acceptable strategy, viewers may internalize these norms, increasing the likelihood of aggressive responses in real life. Anderson and Bushman (2001) argue that media violence influences attitudes toward violence, potentially increasing aggression.

Overall, the depiction of violence in television shows often serves narrative and thematic purposes but may inadvertently contribute to a desensitizing effect on audiences, impacting their emotional and moral responses to violence outside media contexts.

Conclusion

Television shows such as "Game of Thrones," "The Walking Dead," and "Breaking Bad" vividly depict violence within specific narrative contexts, often linked to themes of power, survival, and morality. While such portrayals enhance storytelling realism and emotional engagement, they also pose risks of desensitization among viewers. Recognizing these effects highlights the importance of media literacy and the need for viewers to critically assess violent content to mitigate potential adverse psychological impacts.

References

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• Bushman, B. J., & Anderson, C. A. (2009). Comfortably numb: Desensitizing effects of violent media on helping and prosocial behavior. Psychological Science, 20(3), 273-277.
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