Violence on television, in the movies and in video games can affect your character in many ways. Many studies prove that as a result of seeing violent shows where aggression is high, young adults just like you, become desensitized to the severity of violence, aggression and the suffering of others. In other words, by seeing violent acts repeated over and over again, it may not affect you even in real life to see someone hurt or suffering. This is called desensitization.
Here is something else to think about. By viewing violent and aggressive shows, there is a tendency to imitate the behaviors of certain characters. Have you ever seen little children running around pretending to be wrestlers or practicing martial arts right after they watch a movie or show on TV? Have you ever done this yourself?
Video games are also another source of violence that has been known to have a negative influence on values and character. Video games are a multi-billion dollar a year industry. They are now one of the most popular forms of entertainment in many households and attract mainly boys and men of all ages. The most popular games involve shooting or martial arts that end with one or more of the players dying a bloody, painful death. Reports also show that playing video games can actually slow brain development. How do you think violent acts that you see on television, the movies and video games affect your character? Don't underestimate the influence violence can have on your character.
Negative influences become part of your subconscious mind, and even though you are not aware of them, they can cause you to think and act in a specific way. Action, suspense and violence are the stuff great movies are made of, right? Millions of moviegoers seem to agree. In fact, the more action and violence the movie has, the more it is hyped up and promoted as a great flick. Did you ever see a movie and when it was all over the only thing you could recall was the fight scene? One of the most recent studies concluded that in an average two and a half hour action movie, there are over 70 acts of violence. Violence that includes assault, assault with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, rape, murder and homicides are all on the big screen for your "entertainment."
The heroes and heroines always have the "perfect moves" and know how to "hammer" the bad guys. There are also movies where the bad guy is the hero and yet others where comedy is added to acts of aggression. Overall, the movie industry makes violence look glamorous. It offers violence as a way to solve problems. Sometimes it makes it seem as though violence is the only way to solve a problem.
Let's talk about music. Can music influence your character? The answer is an astounding YES! The music industry is a huge money-making business. Millions of dollars are spent every year on CD's by young adults like you. From rhythm and blues to alternative, heavy metal, country, and rock, music is an important part of life and has been influencing people for thousands of years. Music has the ability to affect our emotions, and emotions affect the way we act.
Some music is used to help young children learn. Words put to a melody or rhythm are easier to remember. This is why the ABC's are sung, as well as many other children's songs. So, ask yourself, how do you think listening to songs with explicit lyrics affects your character? Sexually explicit and violent lyrics, or lyrics promoting drug use, are all sung or rapped to a great beat. Just because you can tap your feet, dance or enjoy music with your friends, doesn't change the power of the message that is being processed in your mind and stored in your subconscious mind.
Music has a powerful influence on its listeners. Keep in mind that not all movies, songs, or even video games are violent or inappropriate. Even if you were to eliminate all movies, songs, and video games, there would still be other negative influences. You have to be responsible and determine how you are being influenced. Keep your eyes and ears open to the world around you. Constantly ask yourself: Is what I am seeing or hearing worth valuing? Will imitating it help to achieve a positive or negative character? Is it something worth practicing? Will it help me to achieve what I want out of life? If the answer to any one of these questions is no, then choose not to see it or hear it. It is up to you to make obtaining a moral character your #1 value.
Here is something else to think about. By viewing violent and aggressive shows, there is a tendency to imitate the behaviors of certain characters. Have you ever seen little children running around pretending to be wrestlers or practicing martial arts right after they watch a movie or show on TV? Have you ever done this yourself?
Video games are also another source of violence that has been known to have a negative influence on values and character. Video games are a multi-billion dollar a year industry. They are now one of the most popular forms of entertainment in many households and attract mainly boys and men of all ages. The most popular games involve shooting or martial arts that end with one or more of the players dying a bloody, painful death. Reports also show that playing video games can actually slow brain development. How do you think violent acts that you see on television, the movies and video games affect your character? Don't underestimate the influence violence can have on your character.
Negative influences become part of your subconscious mind, and even though you are not aware of them, they can cause you to think and act in a specific way. Action, suspense and violence are the stuff great movies are made of, right? Millions of moviegoers seem to agree. In fact, the more action and violence the movie has, the more it is hyped up and promoted as a great flick. Did you ever see a movie and when it was all over the only thing you could recall was the fight scene? One of the most recent studies concluded that in an average two and a half hour action movie, there are over 70 acts of violence. Violence that includes assault, assault with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, rape, murder and homicides are all on the big screen for your "entertainment."
The heroes and heroines always have the "perfect moves" and know how to "hammer" the bad guys. There are also movies where the bad guy is the hero and yet others where comedy is added to acts of aggression. Overall, the movie industry makes violence look glamorous. It offers violence as a way to solve problems. Sometimes it makes it seem as though violence is the only way to solve a problem.
Let's talk about music. Can music influence your character? The answer is an astounding YES! The music industry is a huge money-making business. Millions of dollars are spent every year on CD's by young adults like you. From rhythm and blues to alternative, heavy metal, country, and rock, music is an important part of life and has been influencing people for thousands of years. Music has the ability to affect our emotions, and emotions affect the way we act.
Some music is used to help young children learn. Words put to a melody or rhythm are easier to remember. This is why the ABC's are sung, as well as many other children's songs. So, ask yourself, how do you think listening to songs with explicit lyrics affects your character? Sexually explicit and violent lyrics, or lyrics promoting drug use, are all sung or rapped to a great beat. Just because you can tap your feet, dance or enjoy music with your friends, doesn't change the power of the message that is being processed in your mind and stored in your subconscious mind.
Music has a powerful influence on its listeners. Keep in mind that not all movies, songs, or even video games are violent or inappropriate. Even if you were to eliminate all movies, songs, and video games, there would still be other negative influences. You have to be responsible and determine how you are being influenced. Keep your eyes and ears open to the world around you. Constantly ask yourself: Is what I am seeing or hearing worth valuing? Will imitating it help to achieve a positive or negative character? Is it something worth practicing? Will it help me to achieve what I want out of life? If the answer to any one of these questions is no, then choose not to see it or hear it. It is up to you to make obtaining a moral character your #1 value.
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Want to find out more about values, then visit Kelsey Simon's site on how to choose the best character trait for your needs.
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