An Analysis of the Contexts of Antisocial Acts on Prime-Time Television

Abstract

Prime-time commercial television content is analyzed to determine the frequency and the context of antisocial activity enacted by heroes, villains, and secondary characters. All three types of characters were found to commit a great deal of antisocial activity. Furthermore, the context in which such activity is portrayed is very antisocial. It is almost always shown as being rewarding to and justified by the perpetrators. The study also indicated that a great deal of the antisocial activity is portrayed as being internally motivated.