Richard Rhodes

Richard Rhodes is a prolific and award-winning author of both fiction and nonfiction works; his books include The Making of the Atomic Bomb and Why They Kill: The Discoveries of a Maverick Criminologist. In the following viewpoint he challenges the claim that watching violence in the media makes children violent. Studies and experiments have failed to establish a causal connection between media violence and actual violence, he argues. Rhodes also points to some research indicating that media violence may actually have beneficial effects by enabling viewers to discharge pent-up aggression, thus actually reducing violent behavior.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. Why is it easy to believe that media violence influences behavior, according to Rhodes?
2. How have studies debunking the connection between media violence and violence been received and publicized, according to the...