The number of films containing conversations around killing and murder has increased over the past 50 years, new research has revealed.
A recent study from Ohio State University has discovered that movie characters are talking about homicide more now than ever before.
First author Professor Brad Bushman said: “The surprising thing is the increase occurs not just for crime genres, which you would expect because they’re violent, but also for non-crime genres.”
With talk of murder and killing in films on the rise, experts are worried that vulnerable groups will be at risk.
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“Adults can make their own choices, but I’m especially concerned about children being exposed to violence in the media,” said Professor Bushman.
Previous research has found that young people are more likely to be aggressive after watching violent films, TV series and video games.
During the study, the team of researchers examined the dialogue from 166,534 movies produced between 1970 and 2020. They found that nearly 10% of films contained dialogue about ‘killing’ and ‘murder’.
Professor Bushman said: “It is a very conservative estimate of murderous verbs during the past half century.”
In the early 1970s, a total of 0.21% of films used the words “kill” or “murder” as their root compared to 0.37% in 2020.
Prior studies have found that the number of films containing gun violence has doubled since 1950.
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Professor Bushman said: “The trend highlighted in the study was troubling, adding that exposure to violent media could have a cumulative effect and shape people’s view of the world.
“We know there are many harmful effects of exposure to violent media. It increases aggressive behaviour, but also makes people desensitised, numb, to the pain and suffering of others.”
Professor Peter Etchells, from Bath Spa University, said: “It’s a huge logical jump to go from counting the number of ‘murderous’ words in a movie, especially when that count is free of any context as to why the word is being used, to vague talk about health concerns. This isn’t something I would really be worrying about.”
Read the study in the journal Jama Pediatrics.
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