For examples, criminals ask themselves what will be the punishment versus what I will gain. A major issue in the study of violence is the role of the mass media in communicating violent attitudes. The problem of media violence may be especially acute for troubled children who already suffer from psychological disturbances that distort their perceptions of reality. The influence of mass media, especially television, probably acts more as a deterrent of violence than as an instigator. Criminal homocide takes two forms.
Murder is defined as the unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought.
Manslaughter is unlawful homicide without malice aforethought. Murder and assault are similar. Assault is a threat or attempt to injure. Murder is a form of aggravated assault in which the victim dies. However, a person who commits assault is somewhat more likely to have a criminal record than one who commits murder.