Abstract
The effects of the mass media- movie films, television and computer games-on increased aggression and delinquency in children and adolescents is analyzed on the basis of a review of the literature. The media are purported to have four kinds of impact: catharsis, restraint, reinforcement and stimulation. The author says that the role of these patterns of aggressive behaviour ought to be considered in forensic-psychiatric diagnoses and expert opinions and also in penitentiary resocialisation programs.