Cultivation Theory - The Major Findings of Cultivation Analysis

The Major Findings of Cultivation Analysis

"Since Gerbner believed that violence was the structure of TV drama and knowing that people differ in levels of television consumed, Gerbner wanted to find the cultivation differential. He referred to cultivation differential rather than media effects because the latter term implies a comparison between before-TV exposure and after-TV exposure. But Gerbner believed there was no before-television condition. Television enters people’s lives in infancy. His surveys have revealed some provocative findings:" "

Positive correlation between TV viewing and fear of criminal victimization.

"In most of the surveys Gerbner conducted, the results reveal a small but statistically significant relationship between TV consumption and fear about becoming the victim of a crime. The question at the start of the chapter is illustrative: Those with light viewing habits predict their weekly odds of being a victim are 1 out of 100; those with heavy viewing habits fear the risk 1 out of 10. Actual crime statistics indicate that 1 out of 10,000 is more realistic." "

Supporting this finding is a survey done with collegiate students that showed that there was a significant correlation between the attention paid to local crime and fear. This survey also showed a significant correlation between the fears of crime and violence and the number of times the respondents viewed television per week.

Perceived activity of the police

"People with heavy viewing habits believe that 5 percent of society is involved in law enforcement. Their video world is peopled with police officers, judges, and government agents. People with light viewing habits estimates a more realistic 1 percent." "

General mistrust of people

"Those with heavy viewing habits are suspicious of other people's motives. They subscribe to statements that warn people to expect the worst." These people would be likely to believe statements such as: "Most people are just looking out for themselves" "In dealing with others, you can't be too careful" and "Do unto others before they do unto You." This mindset is what Griffin calls the mean world syndrome. "

Gerbner’s original analysis shows that heavy viewers are much more likely to be afraid of walking alone at night. The reluctance of these individuals has also been seen on a more global scale because heavy viewers are much more likely to believe we, as a nation, should stay out of world affairs.

Read more about this topic:  Cultivation Theory

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