Reporting Science: The Case of Aggression

Originally published in 1986, this is a nonscientific book about science. It is concerned with the relationships among social science, journalism, public information, and public policy. Reporting Science: The Case of Aggression explores some of the obstacles – and suggestions for overcoming them – to the mutual exchange of information when that information concerns research and theory on a sensitive issue, in this instance, violence. Among the issues explored are: What is the social scientist’s responsibility, if any, for the public dissemination of his or her work? How accurate are mass media reports of scientific research on such socially sensitive issues as violence and the effects of mass media portrayals of sex and aggression? How do science journalists select particular pieces of research for study? How can interested scientists more effectively present their work to the public? What are the ethical issues involved in greater scientist-journalist cooperation?