The critical point here is causality. The alarmists say they have proved that violent media
cause aggression. But the assumptions behind their observations need to be examined. When
labeling games as violent or non-violent, should a hero eating a ghost really be counted as a
violent event? And when experimenters record the time it takes game players to read ‘a(chǎn)ggressive’
or ‘non-aggressive’ words from a list, can we be sure what they are actually measuring? The intent
of the new Harvard Center on Media and Child Health to collect and standardize studies of media
violence in order to compare their methodologies, assumptions and conclusions is an important
step in the right direction.
　　Another appropriate ster would be to tone down the criticism until we know more. Several
researchers write, speak and testify quite a lot on the threat posed by violence in the media. That is,
of course, their privilege. But when doing so, they often come out with statements that the matter
has now been settled, drawing criticism from colleagues. In response, the alarmists accuse critics
and news reporters of being deceived by the entertainment industry. Such clashes help neither
science nor society.
21. Why is there so much violence shown in movies, TV and video games?
A) There is a lot of violence in the real world today.
B) Something has gone wrong with today’s society.
C) Many people are fond of gunplay and bloodshed.
D) Showing violence is thought to be entertaining.
22. What is the skeptics (Line 3. Para.3) view of media violence?
A) Violence on television is a fairly accurate reflection of real-world life.
B) Most studies exaggerate the effect of media violence on the viewers.
C) A causal relationship exists between media and real-world violence.
D) The influence of media violence on children has been underestimated.
23. The author uses the term “alarmists” (Line 1. Para.5) to refer to those who ______.
A) use standardized measurements in the studies of media violence
B) initiated the debate over the influence of violent media on reality
C) assert a direct link between violent media and aggressive behavior
D) use appropriate methodology in examining aggressive behavior
24. In refuting the alarmists, the author advances his argument by first challenging____.
A) the source and amount of their data
B) the targets of their observation
C) their system of measurement
D) their definition of violence
25. What does the author think of the debate concerning the relationship between the media and
violence?
A) More studies should be conducted before conclusions are drawn.
B) It should come to an end since the matter has now been settled.
C) The past studies in this field have proved to be misleading.
D) He more than agrees with the views held by the alarmists.