Earlier this week, Science and Public Interest GRO arranged for Dr. Karen E. Dill, Associate Professor of Psychology and media expert at Lenoir-Rhyne College, to testify before the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection on the effects of violent interactive media content on American culture. The hearing, “From Imus to Industry: The Business of Stereotypes and Degrading Images”, convened by Chairman Bobby Rush (D-IL), came in the wake of the now infamous “Imus incident” where radio host Don Imus referred to players on the Rutgers University women’s basketball team as “nappy-headed ho’s”.

Rap artists “Master P” and “David Banner” testified alongside hip-hop music scholar and commentator Michael Dyson, PhD. Also testifying were entertainment executives from top tier music and interactive video companies (Universal Music Group, Viacom International, Radio One, Take Two Interactive Software, and Warner Music Group). Dill’s panel concluded the hearing with representatives from academia and media watchdog groups.

The hearing was often contentious and impassioned as media industry executives fought to defend themselves against charges that they exploit racism, misogyny and violence to make a profit, while some of the other panelists tried to avoid the “slippery slope” of first amendment rights.

Describing the current cultural climate, Dill testified, “American culture is now largely that which is shaped and maintained by the mass media.” She then presented scientific evidence revealing the creation of a culture through cumulative exposure that supports hatred and injustice:

Research on music [for example] has demonstrated that exposure to violent rap videos increases adversarial sexual beliefs (viewing men and women as enemies in the sexual sphere), negative mood, and acceptance of relationship violence. Additionally, violent music lyrics have been shown to increase aggressive thoughts and feelings. Across a number of studies in which researchers controlled for artist, style and other relevant factors, results showed conclusively that it was the aggressive content that caused the observed changes.

She went on to say,

Recent research on common depictions of popular video game characters shows blatant stereotyping. Black males are more likely than other characters to carry guns and to fit the definition of a ‘thug’ or ‘gangsta’, and much more likely to be depicted as athletes. This is troubling given that research shows that simply knowing a society’s endorsement of a ‘Black criminal’ stereotype is enough to make video game players shoot more unarmed Black targets than unarmed White targets.

During the question and answer period following her testimony, Dill emphasized the link between stereotypical content and aggressive content and urged Congress “to recognize the deception involved with defending these harmful messages as freedom of expression.” She also advocated for implementation of a media literacy curriculum in schools so that if a child hears aggressive and harmful messages “she is better equipped to deal with them.” For further information, view Dill’s testimony in its entirety.

Karen E. Dill, PhD, testifies before the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection at a hearing titled "From Imus to Industry: The Business of Stereotypes and Degrading Images".