Saturday 28 April 2007

Abstract for Dissertation

Title of Dissertation: 'Investigating the Representation of Violence in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1988)’

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to review the perceived effects of violence in children’s television programmes. Firstly it looks at the relationship between media violence, focusing on televised violence and the effects that this has on young children. There is an on-going debate about the effects of televised violence on young members of society. These diverse arguments and investigations have been reviewed and incorporated within the case study of ‘The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ 1988 episodes, along with other popular entertainment features for children such as ‘Tom and Jerry’(1993). This investigation identifies many aspects that relate to the debate of the effects of on screen violence such as upbringing, education, and society itself. However, these were not the only aspects to be blamed.

Secondary research obtained from previous studies, ranging over the past few decades has show many different reasons for children’s aggressive behaviour. Many studies that have been carried out on children and their behaviour within society are rarely based on the effects of media alone. The complexity of the subject and the varying research is inconclusive in suggestion as to whether children’s television programmes have an impact on children and whether there is a cause and effect. Many studies take into consideration the child as a viewer themselves, using their interpretation and understanding of cartoons and programmes that are designed for them which gives insight into the way the minds of the young function.

After textual analysis of ‘The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ (1988) and reviewing previous research it was clear that it is possible for children to learn behaviour from what they watch on screen. The secondary research that was obtained gave the study an insight into the different reasons why children could possibly learn behaviour. This fuelled the debate further for the case study as the evidence arising from the analysis suggested that there was an obvious pattern of violence throughout the programme.
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