Economists Say Movie Violence Might Temper the Real Thing.

The article reports on a paper presented by economics professors Gordon Dahl and Stefano DellaVigna to the 2008 meeting of the American Economic Association. The study found that contrary to popular belief, violent motion pictures reduce real violent crime rather than increasing it. The researchers conclude that watching violent movies keeps criminals in a cloistered, alcohol-free environment for hours, reducing the time left for commission of violent acts.