Goldstein, Jeffrey. "The Attractions of Violent Entertainment" Media Psychology 1.3 (1999). 05 Apr. 2008
http://www.informaworld.com/10.1207/s1532785xmep0103_5.

    This study considers why violence is a successful and prominent aspect of entertainment. Goldstein analyzes the roles of sensation-seeking, context, justice motive, and social control as elements that affect our consumption of violence. He uses Gerbner’s cultivation theory to explain that media violence is a means of social control. This theory posits that because of media violence, people see the world as a frightening and dangerous place, and therefore want to support law and order. Even if violence is “scary”, viewers can enjoy violence in certain contexts. In addition for the need to feel safe, the audience must understand cues that the violence is just for entertainment, such as sound effects or editing that remind people “this is not real”. Additionally, violent entertainment has different appeals during different time periods. Real violence activates aggressive association and can increase the preference for more violence. For some viewers, particularly the rebellious and young, violence is taboo and therefore engaging. Goldstein’s study concludes that people can enjoy watching violence and simultaneously be scared away from a criminal or aggressive lifestyle.
    The findings in this study are applicable and relevant to the portrayal of violence in Bonnie and Clyde, and subsequent commercial success of the movie. According to this study, Bonnie and Clyde is a critique of crime and the outlaw, instead of glamorization of this lifestyle. For instance, both characters are ruthless robbers and murderers, who ultimately die because of their actions. According to Goldstein, this portrayal would frighten viewers, which in turn would lead them to support a civil, responsible lifestyle. Regardless, the violence was still entertaining and the movie was successful because of the editing cues, rebellious time period, and taboo associated with crime.