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Barranco, R.E., Rader, N.E., and Smith, A. (2015). Violence at the Box Office: Considering Ratings, Ticket Sales, and Content of Movies. Communication Research. 1–19. DOI: 10.1177/0093650215614363.

Learning Objective: LO 3-3: Discuss the relationship between culture and mass media and the debate over mass culture and violence.

Summary: Assessing the highest grossing popular movies in the United States from 1992 to 2012, the authors found that the rating of violence content by the Motion Picture Association of America was most indicative of movie sales for PG-13 films. The authors suggest that the preferences and tastes of audiences, particularly adolescents, may be a factor in the continued existence of violence depicted in mass media culture.

Questions to Consider:

1. Does the MPAA rating of a movie influence your decision, or the decisions of your friends and family, to watch a movie or film? Why or why not?
2. What type of violence and behavior does the MPAA review for when deciding a rating assignment for a film? What rational has been stated for why these criteria are screened for in films for younger audiences?
3. In your opinion, has the “creep effect” affected the level of violence in cultural content reported or depicted in mass media over time? What are some examples to support or counter this claim?