Date of Defense

4-30-2026

Date of Graduation

5-2026

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Marian Tripplett

Second Advisor

John Gonsler

Third Advisor

Donald Cooney

Keywords

rap, trap, hip-hop, desensitization, misogyny, youth, media effects

Abstract

This thesis synthesizes and reflects on media effects and hip-hop studies to examine how the Hollywood rap/trap industry participates in the influence of normalization of crime and anti-social behaviors, substance use, and the sexualization of women among youth (ages 13–21). I integrate analytic evidence on media violence with lyric/content analyses of rap and critiques of the criminal justice system in hip-hop. Specific subtopics from my outline include: theoretical frameworks (media-violence, social learning, cultivation, cultural criminology); corporate marketing and social-media amplification; youth vulnerability; and three patterned domains which include substance abuse, gun violence, and the sexualization of women, often leading to misogyny. Findings indicate that repeated exposure to attractive and rewarded portrayals can desensitize audiences, automate aggressive scripts, and shape perceived peer norms, while hip-hop culture fights against the shame of prison and challenges the idea that harsh punishment stops crime. Implications include parental mediation, school-based media literacy, and platform-level responsibility; limitations and directions for trap-specific longitudinal work are discussed.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access

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