Television Violence and the Propensity for Violent Behaviour Among Youths in Tertiary Institutions in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

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The study investigated the relationship between television violence and the propensity for violent behaviour among youths in tertiary institutions in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. To facilitate this study, two specific objectives and one null hypothesis was postulated. The survey research design was adopted for the study. A 20 - item questionnaire was used in collecting data from a sample of 395 students in five tertiary institutions in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. While the opinion of student leaders of these institutions were sought through a 10 - item interview schedule. A random sample drawn from the total population of 28,900 students from these institutions was determined through a mathematical process using the Yard’s formula. Data collected through questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while chi-square analysis was used to test the null hypothesis postulated for the study. The data from the oral interviews which were recorded on tape were transcribed and interpreted manually by the researcher. A total of 390 questionnaires were returned representing 99% of the total copies of questionnaires administered. The study reveals that youths prefer movie/films to other television programme types; violent television programmes have negative influence on youths; youths who watch violent television programmes tend to see crime as an acceptable way of life. The study also reveals that there is a significant relationship between television violence and propensity for violent behaviour among youths in tertiary institutions.