A questionnaire was made to try and identify every possible factor for a teenager's violent nature. The questions addressed teen's relationship with his parents, his relationship with movies, and how violent he is. The questionnaires were placed in 300 personal boxes at Brentwood school. 72 were returned. The results were entered into a computer spreadsheet. The spreadsheet was then converted to a database on another program. The second program counted all students who answered one way on one question and another way on another question, thus searching for patterns. Many different question combinations were compared.

Below is a copy of the questionnnaire:

Do you ever resort to violence to solve a problem?
a. always
b. only when I feel its necessary
c. never

How well do you get along with your parents?
a. we get along very well
b. we get along well
c. we don't get along very well
d. I hate them

If you had a problem would you talk to your mom or dad about it?
a. yes, my mom
b. yes, my dad
c. yes, my mom or dad
d. maybe, depending on the problem, my mom
e. maybe, depending on the problem, my dad
f. maybe, depending on the problem, my mom or dad

How easily do your parents yell at you when they are mad?
a. very easily, almost always yell
b. just easily
c. not very easily, only when very mad
d. never yell even when very mad

Did your parents ever hit you as a child?
a. yes, a lot
b. yes, occasionally
c. no, never

Do your parents ever hit you now?
a. yes, a lot
b. yes, occasionally
c. no, never

Is violence in general entertaining to you?
a yes
b no

How easily are you disturbed by violence?
a extremely easily
b just easily
c. not very easily
d. very uneasily
e. never disturbed

how would you define yourself
a. peaceful not violent at all
b. rarely violent
c. occasionally violent
d. just plain violent


How many movies do you watch per week either at a theater or on video?
a. less than 1
b. 1
c. 2
d. 3
e. 4 or more

How many movies do you watch per month?
a. less than 1
b. 1-3
c. 4-6
d. 6-7
e. 7 and above

To you movies are...
a. not very enjoyable
b. just for fun
d. a big deal
c. large part of my life

My favorite movie genre is...
a. action/adventure
b. comedy
c. sci fi
d. drama
e. mafia
f. other________

Do you ever identify yourself with the main character?
a. never
b. sometimes
c. usually
d. always

If yes give an example of a movie and the character and try to explain what were the reasons for the identification.


Are violent movies entertaining to you?
a yes, always
b yes, if there is a good plot and the movie is well made
c no