How the study was conducted
The study included 97 boys and girls, aged seven to 17, in East Baltimore. During an initial survey, researchers assessed the youths' attitudes about conflict, including their likelihood to act violently.

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The children were then shown explicit images of patients treated for gunshot wounds. The photos included one of a man whose abdomen was ripped open by a bullet and another of a woman whose eight-month-old foetus was killed when she was shot in the abdomen.

In a follow-up survey of 48 of the children, researchers found a significant reduction in the youths' beliefs supporting aggression and also found some evidence the youths would be less likely to use violence to settle conflicts.

The impact of true pictures
"Our study suggests that the kind of romanticised version of violence shown on television can be countered by more frank and open discussions and displays of what violence really does to the body," study co-author David Chang said in a prepared statement.

"If you give at-risk youth a true picture of violence, it does change their attitudes, beliefs and intentions regarding aggressive behaviour," Chang said.

The study was presented recently at the annual meeting of the Black Academic Surgeons in Washington, D.C. - (HealthDayNews)

Read more:
Sex, violence in video games
Violent songs have an effect

 

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