By Beholding We are Changed

Children frequently mimic what they see in real life! Researchers randomized 52 pairs of children 8-12 years of age to watch a 20 minute PG-rated movie clip with or without scenes involving gun use. The pairs then played for 20 minutes in a room with toys and games. Hidden in a drawer was disabled handgun with…

Movie Violence Desensitizes Youth

Modern life provides much exposure to media and real life violence. Does this lead to desensitization emotionally and physically? College students were randomly assigned to view a series of violent or nonviolent high-action movie scenes. The researchers found cognitive and emotional empathy decreased in those watching higher levels of violence, compared to those viewing the non-violent movies, suggesting…

Teenage Violence and Soda Consumption

Boston high school students who drank more than 5 cans of carbonated non-diet sodas per week (30% of sample) was significantly associated with more violence with peers, family members and dates, and likelihood to carry a weapon. Even after controlling for gender, age, race, BMI, sleep, tobacco, alcohol use, and family dinners -- heavy soda…

Parental Connectedness: Violence and Home Atmosphere

This is the sixth in a series of blogs about the benefits of parents and children connecting with each other.There is an abundance of research on conditions at home that relate to violent behavior. They include early aggression and witnessing violence in homes and neighborhoods. Once children are victims of violence they may become perpetrators…