Violent Music
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perceptions of political leader performances (Iyengar & Kinder, 1987). Despite few
communication studies examining the priming effects of music on cognition (e.g.,
Hansen & Hansen, 1990), several studies support a priming effect of aggression through
the observation of violent content.
Berkowitz (1990) suggests observations of aggressive related images or content
evoke aggressive-related ideas. His results indicate that participants listening to hostile
comedy demonstrated more critical rankings of applicants than those listening to non-
hostile comedy. Given this finding, one can surmise individuals exposed to hostile music
lyrics will result in more criticism towards others’ driving behaviors.
Observing violent-related material evoked violent related-ideas and thoughts.
Bushman and Geen (1990) exposed viewers to a 10-minute videotape ranging in content
from highly violent to non-violent stimuli. After viewing, respondents recorded the
thoughts they experienced while observing the tape. Bushman and Geen (1990)
concluded that aggressive thoughts and violence ratings are positively associated with the
level of observed violence. Their second study found that the most violent stimuli
increased self-reported hostility and blood pressure (Bushman & Geen, 1990).
Interestingly, participants who meditated about past aggressive behaviors reported more
hostile feelings after viewing the violent videotape. Given these results, drivers listening
to violent music while simultaneously ruminating over past aggressions will act more
hostile than drivers not thinking about past aggressions. Several studies support mass
media priming effects involving visual images (e.g., Berkowitz, 1970), but few examine
other mediums.
Convention