The problem is, you can't prove this by just quoting your own experience or that of a few people you know. My great grandfather smoked from a very early age and lived to be 96. That doesn't mean everyone should smoke.
You've got to look at wider statistics. If very many who commit a murder also like violent films, then it does indeed prove there's a link. However, the mistake people often make is to see the link in only one direction. They say "(S)he became a murderer because of those violent films". I think it's probably more pertinent to say "(S)he likes violent films because (s)he is a violent person who is of the tiny subset who is, or will become, a murderer".
It's very easy to blame the film and I agree with you that this is often unfair.
Absolutely! You and I are both purple but that doesn't mean either of us is the cause of anyone else becoming purple. For like, a day, or... something.
IIN people blame media when 'young people' act violent?
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The problem is, you can't prove this by just quoting your own experience or that of a few people you know. My great grandfather smoked from a very early age and lived to be 96. That doesn't mean everyone should smoke.
You've got to look at wider statistics. If very many who commit a murder also like violent films, then it does indeed prove there's a link. However, the mistake people often make is to see the link in only one direction. They say "(S)he became a murderer because of those violent films". I think it's probably more pertinent to say "(S)he likes violent films because (s)he is a violent person who is of the tiny subset who is, or will become, a murderer".
It's very easy to blame the film and I agree with you that this is often unfair.
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shade_ilmaendu
11 years ago
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Key phrase of my adolescent development class. Correlation is not causation. :P
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dappled
11 years ago
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Absolutely! You and I are both purple but that doesn't mean either of us is the cause of anyone else becoming purple. For like, a day, or... something.
okay, bad example. :P
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shade_ilmaendu
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XD Oh you.