Introduction
Human behavior is a product of many interrelated factors (Hartwell 7). Friends, environment, and culture influence our behaviors (Kierkus 50). In this article, three variables that are closely connected with our everyday life are highlighted. They are music, media, and culture. Later, a hypothesis that music, media, and culture influence aggressive behavior is developed. An understanding about the issue is vital because it enables persons to effectively manage aggression and reduce its adverse impacts (Jost 108).
Literature review
Many scholars have analyzed the effects resulting from the above factors. However, they still have not come to the irreversible decision. In this study, we refer to the works of the researchers who have examined the influence of music, media, and culture on aggressive human behavior.
Tropeano asserts that violence lyrics or music influence aggressive behaviors among their listeners (Tropeano 30). According to the researcher, music contents encouraging violence enhance negative feelings and views, which can result in aggression.
She also suggests that music comprising of violent lyrics, aggressive behaviors, and demeaning views toward women did make a person feel and react more violently (Tropeano 31). Based on her studies, it is apparent that a person’s musical tastes have a huge effect on his or her behavior. The above findings support our hypothesis.
Murdock claims that there is a cumulative substantiation that increased exposure to media violence is a leading cause for the escalation of aggression (Murdock 242).
He postulates that men who were high TV-violence audiences as teenagers were considerably more likely to have exhibited violent behaviors, pushed their wives, or convicted of misconduct. According to the study, such men had been sentenced for their wrongdoings at over two times the percentage of other individuals (Murdock 242). The study indicates that media is a great tool that fosters violent behaviors.
Just like media and music, culture also influences aggressive behaviors. Humans exist in the particular society. In these societies, distinct values and beliefs influence our behaviors, thoughts, and actions. For instance, Matsumoto notes that when children are born into a violent culture they may be encouraged to exhibit aggressive behaviors and thoughts (Matsumoto 1290).
Matsumoto also illustrates that aggressive behaviors vary from one country to another. For instance, he indicates that countries in parts of Europe, Africa, and East Asia have experience more violence than the USA. According to Matsumoto, the disparities illustrate that cultures play a huge role in how members exhibit aggressive behaviors.
Hypotheses
After considering the information received from the above articles, some hypotheses can be made. Music content influences listeners, behaviors, beliefs, and thoughts. For instance, exposure to violent music lyrics or videos enhances aggressive behaviors. On the other hand, persons who listen to calm music receive positive impact as it helps them to compose themselves.
The second hypothesis states that exposure to media violence enhances aggressive behaviors. Under the influence of media, people change their attitudes and decisions, which reflect on the behavior. The last hypothesis states that culture also influences aggressive behaviors. Human behavior alters because it is affected by the values of the culture that one is taught.
Based on the above findings, we can prove that aggressive behaviors are influenced by external factors. It is a product of external factors, which most people do not always comprehend. Because music, media, and culture are inalienable parts of our life, they are the leading features that influence aggressive behaviors.
Works Cited
Hartwell, Heather. “Behaviour change”. Perspectives in Public Health 134.1 (2014):1-15. Print.
Jost, Reineckle. “When personality questionnaires fail to be unidimensional”. Psychologische Beiträge 44.1 (2002):108-125. Print.
Kierkus, Baer. “A social control explanation of the relationship between family structure and delinquent behavior”. Canadian Journal of Criminology 44.4 (2002):32-70. Print.
Matsumoto, Dau. “Culture, context, and behavior”. Journal of Personality 75.6. (2007): 1285-1320. Print.
Murdock, Gayle. ”Media and Violence: Gendering Debates”. Crime, Media, Culture 2.2 (2006): 242-243. Print.
Tropeano, Eliana. (2011). “Does rap or rock music provoke violent behavior?”. Journal of Undergraduate Psychological Research 1.1 (2011): 31-34. Print.