Do depictions of violence in the media make people aggressive? Are first-person shooters (partly) responsible for acts of violence? Questions like these are often discussed very emotionally in public. But what insights have decades of intensive research provided? This volume offers a clear and critical assessment of the current state of research. Based on theoretical considerations of the mechanisms of media violence, specific empirical findings are presented and discussed. A particular focus is placed on factors that can influence the risk of negative effects from media violence, such as the characteristics of the recipient, the portrayal of violence, the medium, and the reception situation. Finally, the book provides an insight into research debates that are sometimes ideologically influenced and occasionally polemically conducted. It is also suitable as a textbook for students.