Violent Attitudes and Deferred Academic Aspirations - Deterious Effects of Exposure to Rap Music

Author(s): Jackson, L. A., Gatto, L.

Journal/Book: Basic Appl Soc Psychol. 1995; 16: 365 Broadway, Hillsdale, NJ 07642-1487. Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc Inc. 27-41.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of exposure to rap music on the attitudes and perceptions of young African-American males. Subjects were exposed to violent rap music videos, nonviolent rap music videos, or no music videos (controls). They read two vignettes, involving: (a) a violent act perpetrated against a man and woman, and (b) a young man who chose to engage in academic pursuits to achieve success, whereas his friend, who was unemployed, ''mysteriously'' obtained extravagant items (i.e., a nice car, nice clothes). Results indicated, first, that when compared to subjects in the nonviolent exposure and control conditions, subjects in the violent exposure conditions expressed greater acceptance of the use of violence. Second, when compared to subjects in the control condition, subjects in the violent condition reported a higher probability that they would engage in violence. Third, when compared to the controls, subjects in the violent exposure condition expressed greater acceptance of the use of violence toward the woman. Finally, when compared to the controls, subjects in the rap video exposure conditions were more likely to say that they wanted to be like the materialistic young man and were less confident that the other young man would achieve his educational goals. Possible basis for and implications of these findings are discussed.

Note: Article JD Johnson, Univ N Carolina, Dept Psychol, 601 S Coll Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403 USA

Keyword(s): ROCK-MUSIC; MEDIA VIOLENCE; VIDEOS; ACCESSIBILITY; COGNITIONS; ACCEPTANCE; BEHAVIOR; GENDER; RECALL; WOMEN

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