Viewing of crime drama and authoritarian aggression: An investigation of the relationship between crime viewing, fear, and aggression

This study hypothesizes that frequency of viewing crime drama on TV is posi tively related to an authoritarian aggression structure: high levels of agg ression directed against those who break the law and low levels of aggressi on directed against those who defend the law. Support for this hypothesis i s identified among white male viewers. Gerbner's theory that fear of victim ization will play a mediating role in such a relationship was not supported by the results; nor was Zillmann's proposal that its main cause will be fe ar of victimization caused by real-life experiences.