2021 Annual National Conference | 22nd – 25th September

Perceived Influence of Violence in Media on Children’s Aggressive

Behaviour in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria

Ayegba, Simon Inalegwu

Department of Educational Foundations and General Studies, College of Agricultural and
Science Education, Joseph Sarwuan Tarkar University, Makurdi-Nigeria
07037724317, ayegba.inalegwu@gmail.com

Igwue, Daniel Oto (Prof.)

Department of Educational Foundations and General Studies, College of Agricultural and
Science Education, Joseph Sarwuan Tarkar University, Makurdi-Nigeria
08051340071, danieligwue@gmail.com

A paper presented at the Nigerian Council of Educational Psychologists (NCEP) National

Conference held at Imo State University, Owerri. 22nd – 25th September, 2021.

Abstract

Children today grow up in a world saturated with media use. Media has proved to be a very
useful tool in the fields of education, sports, and culture. Children spend a considerable portion
of their time watching television, movies, and playing videogames. This study examined the
perceived influence of violence in media on children’s aggressive behavior in Makurdi
Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria. To carry out the study, two research questions and a null
hypothesis guided the study. The researcher adopted a survey research design with a sample of
200 parents with children or a child of school age. The instrument adopted for data collection
was a self-administered questionnaire. Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of 0.78 was
obtained for the instrument. The data obtained were analyzed using frequency and percentages
for research questions, while chi-square was used in testing the hypothesis at 0.05 level of
significance. Results of the data analysis revealed among others that media violence has great
influence on children aggressive behavior, as perceived by the parents. Action films, violent
films and adventure games are responsible for the aggressiveness in children. It was concluded
that media violence poses a threat to public health as much as it leads to an increase in real-
world violence and aggression. Therefore, parents need to adequately supervise and socialize
their children into the norms and values of the society in order to live an aggressive and violent
free life. Hence, government regulation, parental control/ guidance and counseling were
recommended.

KEY WORDS: Media, Violence, Aggressive Behaviour, Children.

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Introduction

In psychology, the term aggression refers to a range of behaviors that can result in both

physical and psychological harm to oneself, others, or objects in the environment. There are

many factors that influence aggressive behavior such as pain, heat, attack, crowding, arousal,

media, etc. Media violence is one of the most influencing factors that contribute to

aggressiveness.

Nowadays children are exposed to different agents of socialization, one of which is the media

especially in the urban areas (Raji et al., 2014). There are different media, like social media

such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, etc. and Radio, Television, Videos, Movies,

Video game, Computer network and so on. Besides numerous advantages media has several

disadvantages. Media violence is one of the most serious issues in everyday life. Media

Violence is the kind of an extreme form of aggression that is produced due to constant

exposure to aggressive and violent behavior in mass media, resulting in human suffering, loss

of lives, and economic hardship to our society as well as an atmosphere of anxiety, fear, and

mistrust (Tarun et al., 2019). Various forms of media have assumed central roles in people’s

daily lives (Gentile, 2009).

Wood et al. (1991), Bushman (1997), Zeng et al. (2004), and Kamini and Priyanka (2017)

found that violent media increase aggressive behavior among adolescents than non-violent

media. Wakoli (2018) revealed that aggressive behavior can intensely be influenced by

exposure to mass media. Anderson and Bushman (2001), Huesmann and Taylor (2005) and

Manali Oak (2012) also indicated that violent media increase aggressive cognition, aggressive

affect, physiological arousal, aggressive behavior, and reduced prosocial behavior. Carnagey

and Anderson (2005) concluded that aggressive effect, aggressive cognition and aggressive

behavior are positively influenced by reward and punishment in violent video games. Hopf, et

al. (2008) indicated that viewing horror and violent films during childhood and playing violent

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electronic games at the beginning of adolescence influence delinquent behavior. Browne and

Hamilton-Giachritsis (2005) showed that violent imagery on television and in other media

increases the likelihood of aggressive behavior in younger children. On the other hand,

Freemann (2008) observed that there is no causal connection between violence in the media

and aggression. Raji et al. (2014) stated that the ways of curbing children’s aggressive

behaviour range from the government regulation, media censor, parental control and

counseling in schools to religious control.

However, the lack of consensus about the relationship between media violence and children

aggressive behaviour has led to the emergence of this study. Thus, this study seeks to

understand the influence of violence in the media on children’s aggressive behaviour in

Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State.

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of violence in the media on

children’s aggressive behaviour in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State. Specifically the study

aimed at finding out:

1. The motive for buying violent films, toys, video games

2. The relationship between media violence and aggressive behavior

3. The ways of curbing the influence of media violence

Research Questions

1. What is the motive for buying violent films, toys, video games?

2. What is the relationship between media violence and aggressive behavior?

3. What are the ways of curbing the influence of media violence?

Hypothesis

There is no significant relationship between media violence and aggressive behavior

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Method

The study adopted a survey research design; specifically the descriptive research design was

adopted for this study because the study investigated the perceived influence of media violence

on children’s aggressive behavior. The research was carried out in Makurdi metropolis; the

schools of Nursing and Midwifery Makurdi, and the Benue State Secretariat.

The target populations of this research are parents with children or a child of school age. Benue

State civil servants, staff of schools of Nursing and Midwifery Makurdi (academic and non-

academic), teachers in secondary and primary schools and other parents in Makurdi metropolis

were the focus of this study from which a sample size of 200 was drawn through accidental and

purposive non-probability sampling techniques.

A self-administered questionnaire form was prepared for data collection. It consisted of four

sections; section A consists of respondent’s socio-demographic characteristics such as age,

gender, marital status, religion, education and occupation. Section B measures the motives for

buying violent films, toys, video games. It asked about the type of media and if respondents

allow their children to watch the media. It also asked if respondents buy toy(s) for their

children; if yes, what type. Section C was on the influence of violence in the media on

children’s aggressive behavior while section D bothers on the ways of curbing the influence of

media violence. The instrument was subjected to face validity. The items on the instrument

were validated by two experts in Measurement and Evaluation for relevance to the subject

matter, comprehensiveness, appropriateness of language used and adequacy of the items to

solicit answers for the research questions. The reliability of the instrument was examined

through measuring its internal consistency, and demonstrated acceptable reliability with

Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.78.

The researcher visited the research settings, after obtaining the necessary official permissions.

The researcher explained to individual respondents the aim and process of the study and asked

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for their assent to participate before administering the instrument. Then the filled forms were

collected from them and revised for completeness. The research questions were answered

using frequencies and percentages, while chi-square was adopted to test the hypothesis at

0.05 level of significance.

Results

The present study examines the perceived influence of violence in media on children’s

aggressive behavior, with a sample of 200.

Table 1: Motives for Buying Violent Films, Toys, Video Games

Variable Responses Frequency Percentage

Which of these do you have Television 190 95.0
Computer 60 30.0
Videogame 135 67.5
VCD/DVD 184 92.0

Do you allow your children to watch the media Yes 188 94.0
No 12 6.0

How often do your children watch TV in a day < 2 hours 66 35.1

2 – 3 hours 93 49.5
4 – 6 hours 19 10.1
≥7 hours 10 5.3

Do you buy toy(s) for your children Yes 155 77.5

No 45 22.5

Type of toy(s) Toy games 34 21.9

Toy guns 15 9.7
Soldier(s) 11 7.1
Teddy 65 42.0
Vehicles 25 16.1
Others 5 3.2

Do you buy films, video/computer games for

your children Yes 130 65.0
No 70 35.0

If yes, which type of video/computer games Educative films 52 40.0

Action/violence films 4 3.1
Puzzle 8 6.2
Computer Games 66 50.7

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Motives for buying films, toys and video

games Educational Purposes 95 47.5
To develop their IQ 75 37.5
for leisure 72 36.0
To keep them busy 35 17.5
Source: Field Survey, 2021

Table 1 indicates some multiple response cases. It revealed that nearly all the respondents

(95.0%) have television and VCD/DVD (92.0%). 94.0% of the respondents allow their

children to watch television and other media device. Out of the 188 of the respondents that

responded to “how often do your children watch TV in a day”, 49.5% of the respondents

allow their children to watch between 2-3 hours, 10.1% of the respondents allowed 4-6

hours for their children to watch television. 77.5% of the respondents said they buy toys for

their children; 21.9% of the respondents buy toy games for their children, 9.7% buy toy

guns, 7.1% buy toy soldiers and 42.0% buy teddy bear, while16.1% buy toy vehicles.

65.0% of the respondents indicated that they do buy films, video or computer games for

their children, 50.7% buy computer game, while 3.1% buy action/violence films for their

children. 47.5% of the respondents buy toys for their children for educational purpose,

while 17.5% said to keep them busy. This implies that different parents buy toys for

different reasons for their children.

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Table 2: Perceived Influence of Violence in the Media on Children’s Aggressive Behavior

Variable Responses Frequency Percentage

Do you buy films, toys, video/computer games for your
children on request Yes 144 72.0
No 56 28.0

Do your children like watching war films,

Chinese films, other violent films and/or
adventure games Yes 124 62.0
No 76 38.0

Do you give your children freedom to watch films or

play games on their own Yes 160 80.0
No 40 20.0

How much violence do you think there is on television

None 24 12.0
Little amount 76 38.0
Medium amount 60 30.0
Large amount 40 20.0

Do you think media has violent influence on children Yes 144 72.0
No 56 28.0
Has there been a situation your children mimic what they
watch or see on the season Yes 150 75.0
No 50 25.0

If yes, state the instance Act aggressively 75 50.0

Acting out the
character in a film 60 40.0
Copy dancing steps
from musical 15 10.0

Do you think violence in the media will make children

act violently after watching it Yes 162 81.0
No 38 19.0

Do you notice any changes in your children after

watching films or playing games Yes 156 78.0
No 44 22.0

If yes, what changes do you notice They feel relaxed 19 12.2

Behave aggressively 115 73.7
Demonstrate what
they watch 16 10.3
Improves their
academic 6 3.8
Source: Field Survey, 2021

This table shows that 72.0% of the respondents buy films, toys, video/computer games for

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your children on request; 62.0% of the respondents indicated that their children love

watching war films, Chinese films and other violent films and 80.0% of the respondents

allow their children to watch films or play games on their own. The implication is that when

allowed to watch films on their own most children prefer to watch war films, Chinese films

and other violent films and even play adventure games. 38.0% of the respondents are of the

opinion that television has little amount of violence effects, while 20.0% said it has large

amount of effects. Majority of the respondents said media has violent effect on children

(72.0%). 75.0% of the respondents claimed that there has been a situation where their

children mimic what they watch on the screen; 50.0% state that their children act

aggressively and 40.0% said the children imitate the character in a film; 81.0% of the

respondents agreed that violence in the media will make children act violently after

watching it. 78.0% of the respondents claimed that they noticed changes in their children

after watching or playing films and majority (73.7%) claimed that their children behave

aggressively; 10.3% said they demonstrate whatever they watch.

Table 3: Ways of Curbing the Influence of Media Violence

Variable Responses F %
Which aspect of the media causes children’s aggressive Action Films 142 71.0
behaviour
Video/Computer 90 45.0
Games
Violent Toys 50 25.0
Comic Books 2 1.0
Others 20 10.0

How can children be prevented from being aggressive through Give them 36 18.0
media Adequate
Supervision
Control what they 164 82.0
watch
How can children who have become aggressive through media Restriction to 160 80.0
be corrected some Programme
Counseling 40 20.0
Source: Field Survey, 2021

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Table 3 indicates that majority (71.0%) of the respondents believe that action film causes

children aggressive behaviour, 45.0% said video/computer game cause children aggressive

behaviour, 25.0% said it is violent toys, 1.0% said comic books and 10.0% said others such as

pornography and other factors cause children aggressive behaviour. Also, 18.0% of the

respondents said adequate supervision is the best measure to prevent children from being

aggressive through media, while 82.0% of the respondents agree that the best measure of

preventing children from being aggressive through media is to control what they watch.

Similarly, 80.0% of the respondents claimed that through restriction to some programmes, we

can correct the behaviour of children who have become aggressive through media, while 20.0%

of the respondents were of the opinion that through counseling we can correct the behaviour of

children who have become aggressive through media.

CROSS TABULATION OF THE VIOLENT FILMS WATCHED BY THE CHILDREN * HOW

CHILDREN MIMIC VIOLENCE IN THE MEDIA
YOUR CHILDREN WATCH
WAR FILMS, CHINESE- CHILDREN MIMIC VIOLENCE IN THE MEDIA
FILMS, OTHER VIOLENT
FILMS AND/OR
ADVENTURE GAMES NO % YES % TOTAL %

NO 34 44.7 42 55.3 76 100

YES 17 13.7 107 86.3 124 100
TOTAL 51 25.5 149 74.5 200 100

Chi-Square Tests
ASYMP. SIG.
VALUE DF
(2-SIDED)
Pearson Chi-Square 23.878a 1 .000
Likelihood Ratio 23.475 1 .000
Linear-by-Linear Association 23.758 1 .000
N of Valid Cases 200

From the chi-square table above, P < 0.05, this indicated that the relationship between

violence mimic by children in the media and children aggressiveness is statistically

significant.

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CROSS TABULATION OF HOW CHILDREN MIMIC VIOLENCE IN THE MEDIA * THE

INFLUENCE ON CHILDREN

MEDIA VIOLENCE AND INFLUENCE ON CHILDREN

CHILDREN MIMIC
VIOLENCE IN THE MEDIA NO % YES % TOTAL %
NO 23 45.1 28 54.9 51 100
YES 21 14.1 128 85.9 149 100
TOTAL 44 22 156 78 200 100

Chi-Square Tests
ASYMP. SIG.
VALUE DF
(2 SIDED)
Pearson Chi-Square 21.284a 1 .000
Likelihood Ratio 19.367 1 .000
Linear-by-Linear Association 21.177 1 .000
N of Valid Cases 200
The table of chi-square reveals that p < 0.05; it can be inferred that the relationship between

how children mimic violence in the media and influence on children is statistically

significant.

Discussion

This study examined the perceived influence of violence in the media on children’s aggressive

behaviour in Makurdi Metropolis of Benue State. Specifically, this study investigated the

motive for buying violent films, toys, video games, causes of children’s aggressive behavior,

relationship between media violence and aggressive behavior and how children’s aggression

can be curbed.

The motive for buying violent films, toys and video games

The result of the study with respect to research question 1 as presented in table 1 indicated

educational purposes, IQ development and leisure, as the motive for buying violent films, toys

and video games for children. Violent (action) films and adventure games appeared to be

responsible for aggressiveness in children. The finding of this study agrees with the finding of

Hopf, et al. (2008) whose finding indicated that viewing horror and violent films during

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childhood and playing violent electronic games at the beginning of adolescence, influence

delinquent behavior. The finding of this study also agrees with to the findings of Browne and

Hamilton-Giachritsis (2005) whose findings revealed that violent imagery on television and in

other media increases the likelihood of aggressive behavior in younger children. Thus, violent

imagery has short-term effects on arousal, thoughts, and emotions, increasing the likelihood of

aggressive behavior in children.

The relationship between media violence and aggressive behavior

The findings of this study with reference to research question 2 as indicated in table 2 reveal

that children who like watching action films and other violent films as well as adventure games

tend to act more violently and aggressively than those who watch educational films and

cartoons. But how significant is the relationship between children who like watching war films,

Chinese-films, other violent films and/or playing adventure games and children’s imitation of

violence in the media, children’s imitation of violence in the media and media violence and

influence on children? Evidence from null hypothesis 1 (chi-square test) confirmed that the

relationship was significant. The above finding appears to be consistent with that of Anderson

and Bushman (2001), Huesmann and Taylor (2005), and Manali Oak (2012) whose findings

revealed that violent media increase aggressive cognition, physiological arousal, aggressive

behavior, and reduced prosocial behavior. It also corroborates with the finding of Wood et al.

(1991), Bushman (1997), Zeng et al. (2004), and Kamini and Priyanka (2017) who in their

respective studies found that violent media increase aggressive behavior among adolescents

than non-violent media. The finding of this study disagreed with the finding of Freemann

(2008) whose finding indicated that there is no causal connection between violence in the

media and aggression. Hence, media as one of the agents of socialization has negative

influence on children’s aggressive behavior.

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Ways of Curbing the Influence of Media Violence

The result on the ways of curbing violence in the media with respect to research question 3

as shown in table 3 includes: Government regulation and parental control or guidance. The

finding of this study is in agreement with the findings of Raji et al. (2014) whose findings

revealed that the ways of curbing children’s aggressive behaviour range from the

government regulation, media censor, parental control and counseling in schools to

religious guidance. Thus, Government has key roles to play in regulating the films to be

shown by the media houses; the programmes of events to be broadcast should be events that

uphold the dignity of our culture. As regards parental control, parents have a very great task

in guiding and advising their children on the types of films to watch and the types of

videogames and toys to play with.

Conclusion

Media violence poses a threat to public health as much as it leads to an increase in real-

world violence and aggression. Without a proper check and control of children’s exposure

to violence in the media, children will continue to mimic whatever they watch on the screen

or play with, which always have negative influence on their behaviour. Parents should

therefore avoid buying of violent films, toys, videogames and any other material that could

expose children to violence. Also, parents need to adequately supervise and socialize their

children into the norms and values of the society, in order to live an aggressive and violent

free life.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations were drawn:

1. Government should regulate films, toys and games being produced or imported and

films to be shown in media houses.

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2. The parents should actively monitor what the children watch (films, music) the type

of games the children play, and what they read.

3. Parents should adopt counseling as a means of curbing aggressive behaviour of their

children as well as preventing their children from acting violently.

4. Further research is needed to explicate the influence of media violence on children’s

health.

References

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