Abstract

This study explores presence and television violence viewing, specifically, comparing non-victims and prior victims of family violence. The findings suggest victims of family violence are cued by televised portrayals of family violence and as a result are more immersed and perhaps more likely to view the portrayals as more realistic. Women reported perceiving television violence as more realistic if they had experienced physical violence or the threat of physical violence in their family of origin, whereas, no difference was found for men. Possible explanations are discussed.

Key Words: Family Violence, Television Violence, Television Viewing, Victims, Non-Victims.

^JCMRJournal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 7, No. 1, April 2015, 1 – 13 

©Delmas Communications Ltd.

About the authors

*Dr. Jill Rudd is Professor, School of Communication, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue,

Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.

** Dr. Cheryl Campanella Bracken is Professor, School of Communication, Cleveland State University, 2121

Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.

*** Dr. Renee Botta is Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Mass Communication & Journalism

Studies, University of Denver, Denver, United States of America.

**** Dr. Elizabeth Babin Pask is Assistant Professor, School of Communication, Cleveland State University,

2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America.

Full Article

Words: 4,952; Pages: 13