ABSTRACT
Among the key defining attributes of violence wherever it occurs are the reasons for its occurrence and its consequences for those involved. The motives for violence and the nature of its consequences for those who are targeted or victimized can affect the way observers respond to it. These features therefore represent important aspects of violence according to which violent behaviour can be classified. By using such classifiers within the context of a content analysis of televised violence, such on-screen behaviour can be usefully qualified in terms which are known to be relevant to audience response. But just how significant are motives and consequences of media violence to the way viewers respond to it? Once again, there is both behavioural and perceptual research evidence which can be referred to.
