Answer:
Answer explained below.Step-by-step explanation:
The findings of this study align with the concept of cultivation theory, a media effects theory that suggests that long-term exposure to media content can cultivate or shape individuals' perceptions of reality. Cultivation theory postulates that heavy consumption of media, particularly media that portrays violence and crime, can lead to increased perceptions of fear and risk, even if those perceptions are not grounded in reality.
Key elements of cultivation theory include:
Mainstreaming effect: Heavy media consumers tend to perceive the world in a way that is consistent with the most common themes and messages portrayed in the media they consume.
Resonance effect: People's existing attitudes and beliefs can make them more susceptible to the cultivation effects of media content.
Limited effects: Cultivation effects are typically gradual and subtle, often only becoming apparent after long-term exposure to media content.
In the context of this study, cultivation theory provides a plausible explanation for the observed shift in parents' and children's perceptions of safety. The heavy consumption of violent media content, particularly true crime shows and first-person shooter video games, likely contributed to heightened fears about child abductions, serial killers, and gang violence. These fears, in turn, led parents to restrict their children's unsupervised activities and limit their freedom of movement.
Specific evidence that supports the application of cultivation theory to these findings includes:
Correlation between violent media consumption and fear of real-life violence: The study found a clear link between parents' and children's heavy consumption of violent media content and their heightened perceptions of danger.
Parents' reliance on media reports as justification for their decisions: Parents frequently cited media stories of child abductions, serial killers, and gang violence as reasons for restricting their children's activities.
Limited evidence of actual increase in crime: The data showed that the crime rate in the town had actually decreased over the past twenty years, suggesting that parents' fears were not grounded in reality.
The findings of this study highlight the potential impact of media consumption on individuals' perceptions of their surroundings and their subsequent behavior. Cultivation theory provides a valuable framework for understanding how long-term exposure to media content can shape our worldview and influence our actions.