Predictors of children's interest in violent television programs

Children's attraction to violent television was explored by comparing the relative contributions of seemingly important predictors. A random sample of 285 parents of children in kindergarten, second, fourth, and sixth grades was interviewed about their children's television viewing habits. Analyses revealed that interest in classic cartoons, which typically display violence for violence's sake, was predicted by grade, whereas attraction to typically justice‐restoring violent fare was predicted by grade, gender, aggression, and fright reactions to television.