Running head: PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT 1

Developmental Psychology Assignment

Shazel Chiasaokwu

Mohawk College

PSYC-SS271 Developmental Psychology

Jennifer Potton-Roberts

February 19, 2023

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Abstract

There are a number of factors that affect the development of children: peers,

environment, genetics… However, in our current society, a large number of children are being

influenced by what they consume through the media. Whether it be on a tablet, smartphone,

laptop, or a television, children today are spending more time in front of screens now more than

ever. While media has many advantages and the ability to positively benefit children, it also has

many disadvantages and the ability to negatively affects children due to the many harmful

messages included in them that can affect the way think and act in certain situations. In this

report I will analyze and review 4 children’s television shows to support my statement that the

media has the potential to strongly affect a child’s development.

Hypothesis

While watching the shows, I expect to see a number of unhealth acts as well as different

types of violence and aggression. As someone who watched a fair share of television as a youth,

I know firsthand that media tends to shadow real life experiences. I expect the adult show that

kids could watch in the early evening, Modern Family, and the cartoon designed for older

childred to depict the most violence and harmful behaviours , as shows with older target

audiences typically have fewer filters on what they can and cannot include. In addition, I expect

the television show designed for young children to include the least amount of violence and

harmful behaviours for the same reason.

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General Procedure

Cartoon designed for young children: Timothy goes to school – this animated television show

follows a 5-year-old raccoon named Timothy who is going to school for the first time.

Educational program designed for children: The Magic School Bus – this animated television

show follows a group of students who embark on educational journeys with the help of their

teacher and her magical school bus

Program designed for adults that children could watch during the early evening: Modern Family

– this documentary style program depicts the lives of a multigenerational family living in

California. Cartoon designed for older children: Teen Titans Go! this show follows a group of

superheroes and looks at what their life is like when they take off their capes. I am including this

television show as I am curious to how cartoons designed for older children compare to cartoons

designed for younger children.

Cartoon designed for young children: Peppa Pig – this animated television show follows the life

of a pig named Peppa and her interactions with friends and family.

Record

Name of Number of Number of Concerning

TV Show Violent references Imagery or
Acts to unhealthy References
activities
Timothy 1 2 0
Goes to
School
The Magic 0 1 0
School Bus
Teen Titans 9 3 5
Go!
Peppa Pig 0 3 0

Modern 2 0 0
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Family

Discussion

1.What variation in the number and kind of aggression did you observe?

In the shows intended for young children as well as the educational show, there was not

much variety in the different kinds of aggression. The common acts of aggression showed the

characters throwing objects when they are upset, screaming, and moderate teasing of other

characters. Surprisingly, the show designed for adults that children can watch, did not include

nearly as much violence and unhealthy acts as I hypothesized. The dangerous acts in question in

question were limited to throwing firecrackers in an open field and shooting cans with guns.

However, in the case of the cartoon for older children, it displayed aggressive acts ranging from

asteroids hitting earth to setting up their sibling to be falsely imprisoned, Teen Titans Go! was by

far the most aggressive show of the four that I watched.

2.What were the observed consequences to the aggressive acts in the program?

The consequences to the aggressive acts in the television programs left much to be

desired. In all 5 of the programs I watched, there were no consequences for any of the dangerous

or aggressive acts committed, which is quite concerning considering the target audience for all of

these shows include impressionable children.

3.How do you think children would respond to these depictions of aggression?

When children are young, they are quite impressionable. Thus, I think it is reasonable to

assume that if children watch television shows that depict violent and aggressive acts, they in

turn may grow to become violent and aggressive. A study conducted by Canadian psychologist
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Albert Bandura concurred my thoughts. The study concluded that children who are exposed to

violence through media depicted higher levels of aggressive behaviour (Nolen, 2022).

4.Given this information. What rules would you impose for your own children

regarding the viewing of television or other media? Describe your rationale?

Knowing now what I do about how inappropriate children’s shows can be, firstly, I would

not expose my child to television for as long as possible, or at least not for the first 3 years of

life. My rationale being that at such a young age I do not want the mind of my child to become

normalized with seeing violent acts, especially when they are too young for me to communicate

with them and instruct them that it isn’t acceptable behaviour. Secondly, I would monitor the

type of television shows and media my children are consuming by enabling parental controls and

not allowing them to watch anything I have not watched and approved of first. This would allow

me to monitor the type of content they are seeing. Lastly, I would put a time limit on all media.

These time limits would depend on a variety of factors such as age, academic performance, and

their understanding of reality and media. In conclusion, the rules I would impose for my children

regarding the viewing of television or other media are based on prioritizing their physical,

mental, and emotion well-being along with shielding them from all the harmful acts depicted in

the media.
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References

Astley, N., Baker, M. (Writers & Directors). (2010, November 26). The Biggest Muddy

Puddle in the World (Season 3, Episode 50) [Tv series episode]. In J. Lofts

et al. (Executive Producers), Peppa Pig. E1 Kids/ Entertainment One Family

Corrigan, P. et al. (Writers), & Winer, J. (Director). (2011, September 21). Dude Ranch (Season

3, Episode 1) [Tv series episode]. In C. Lloyd (Executive Producer), Modern Family. American

Broadcasting Company; USA Network.

Fisch, S. et al. (Writers), & Cormican, L. (Director). (2014, June 12). Mr.Butt (Season 2,

Episode 1) [Tv series episode]. In M. Jelenic et al. (Executive Producers), Teen Titans Go!

Warner Bros. Television; DC Entertainment; DC Studios

Meehl, B., Stevenson, J. (Writers), & Lawrence, J. (Director). (1994, September 10). Gets Lost

in Space (Season 1, Episode 1) [Tv series episode]. In J. Startz & A. Blank (Executive

Producers), Magic School Bus. South Carolina ETV; Nevlana; Scholastic Productions

Nolen, J. (2022, March 9). Bobo doll experiment. Encyclopædia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/event/Bobo-doll-experiment

Wells, R. (Writer), & Hurst, G. (Director). (2000, December 2). The big snowfall/ Forever

friends (Season 1, Episode 10) [Tv series episode]. In S. Ching et al. (Executive Producers),
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Timothy Goes to School. Silver Lining Productions; Animation Services Hong Kong Limited;

Nelvana.