Relational Aggression on Television and Phsychological Abuse in Relationships
Sarah Coyne,
School of Family Life
This project will examine how viewing different forms of aggression on television influences various forms of abuse in relationships in both the USA and the UK. Methods have been informed by the General Aggression Model (Anderson & Bushman, 2002; see below for a description of this theory). This project will specifically test this model to see if it extends to more types of aggression (e.g. relational) than physical violence. This study has potential implications for families in several ways. First of all it will extend the literature on media violence from simple effects on general aggression to aggression in family relationships. It may also have implications for abusive relationship interventions; if TV aggression is found to be related to increased abuse, then therapists can work with offenders to decrease exposure in the family home. It may also have implications for policy makers in both the USA and UK regarding media violence and aggression.
