Project Abstract

Abstract
The influence of televised aggression and pornography on the social adjustment of adolescents in secondary schools is a topic of significant concern in the field of psychology and education. This study aimed to investigate the impact of exposure to televised aggression and pornography on the social adjustment of adolescents in secondary schools. A mixed-methods approach was employed to gather data from a sample of 300 students from various secondary schools. Quantitative data were collected through surveys that assessed the frequency of exposure to televised aggression and pornography, as well as measures of social adjustment such as peer relationships, self-esteem, and aggression levels. Qualitative data were gathered through focus group interviews to provide more in-depth insights into the experiences and perceptions of the participants. The results of the study revealed a significant relationship between exposure to televised aggression and pornography and the social adjustment of adolescents. Adolescents who reported higher levels of exposure to televised aggression and pornography were found to have poorer social adjustment, including lower levels of self-esteem, higher levels of aggression, and more difficulties in forming positive peer relationships. Furthermore, qualitative data highlighted the ways in which exposure to such content influenced adolescents' attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, leading to challenges in their social interactions and overall adjustment in the school environment. These findings underscore the importance of addressing the issue of televised aggression and pornography in the context of adolescent social adjustment. Schools, parents, and policymakers need to work together to develop strategies to minimize adolescents' exposure to harmful content and provide support and guidance to help them navigate the challenges they may face as a result of such exposure. Intervention programs focusing on media literacy, social skills development, and mental health support may be beneficial in promoting healthy social adjustment among adolescents in secondary schools. By raising awareness of the impact of televised aggression and pornography and implementing targeted interventions, we can better support the social and emotional well-being of adolescents as they navigate the complexities of adolescence in today's media-saturated world.

Project Overview

This study investigated the influence of televised aggression and pornography on adolescents in secondary schools in Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State.

A sample of 120 students randomly selected from 4 senior secondary school children in public schools were used. They were made up of 60 boys and 60 girls.

A well constructed instrument, a questionnaire was used to elicit responses from the subjects.

Four hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance using one-way ANOVA, two-way ANOVA and independent t-test.

Based on the analysis of the data, the following findings were made:

1.           There is a significant influence of violent television programmes on students’ social adjustment. Thus null hypothesis one was rejected.

2.           There is no significant effect of violent television programmes on aggressive behaviour of students, thus null hypothesis two was accepted.

3.           There is gender difference in the aggressive behaviour of student’ due to violent television programmes, thus null hypothesis three was rejected.

4.           There is significant influence of pornographic film viewing on the social adjustment of students in schools and so, null hypothesis four was rejected.

From these findings, the onus is on all stakeholders especially parents and the educational sectors to give proper and adequate guidance and counselling to school children so they can invest their time on worthwhile pastimes rather than viewing programmes that could derail and frustrate their existence.