No Consensus Among Scholars on Media Violence

[Commentary] The notion that media violence plays even a partial role in mass shootings is scientifically dead. Whether young or old, male or (rarely) female, it is severe mental illness, not media exposure that is the commonality among mass shooters. Speaking as a researcher in the field, the evidence linking violent media to even mild acts of aggression is inconsistent. Evidence for a causal effect, even in part, on serious societal violence is generally lacking. So why does this social narrative persist? Part of it has been the poor historical performance of professional advocacy groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychological Association in faithfully communicating the research to the general public.

[Dr. Ferguson is Department Chair of Psychology at Stetson University]