Final answer:
Correlational studies have revealed a relationship between media violence exposure and aggressive behavior, but they do not establish causality. While some researchers suggest that media violence leads to aggression, others argue for the influence of additional factors. Further research is required to determine the exact nature of the relationship between media violence and violent behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The problem in interpreting the results of correlational studies involving exposure to violence in the media and violent behavior is determining causality. Specifically, correlational studies show that there is a relationship between media violence and aggression, but they do not prove which causes the other. Some studies, such as those by Anderson & Gentile and Bushman, suggest a causal link between exposure to media violence and aggressive thoughts or behaviors, while others, like work by Ferguson, indicate that violent media may not cause violence but that other factors such as mental health and family life may be involved.
Persistent exposure to violent media has been associated with a myriad of effects including desensitization towards violence and an increase in aggressive behaviors. However, despite these findings, there is a debate regarding the true impact of media violence on behavior, as a definitive link between viewing violence and committing violent crimes has not been conclusively established. It is important to note that correlation does not imply causation, and additional research is needed to determine if there's a direct causal relationship between media violence and violent behavior.