Aggression Booklet 7: Media explanations Flashcards
What are exam tips for this booklet?
- If you get asked exam q on media influence aggression, you get credit for talking about anything in this booklet
- Likely to get an essay question on this section
What is AO1 for media explanations split into?
-Effects of computer games on aggression
-The role of desensitisation
-The role of disinhibition
-The role of cognitive priming
Explain the role of computer games on aggression…
-Media influences of aggression include a number of elements, for example: TV, Film, Magazines, but here we look at video games
-There is an ongoing argument about the effects of video games, some believing it to increase aggression whilst others believing it decreases aggression
What are the three main studies for AO1: role of computer games on aggression?
Carnegey
Matthew
Weinstein
What was found in Carnegey’s study?
When participants who played a violent video game for 20 minutes watched a film of real life violence, they had lower heart rate and galvanic skin response compared to those who played non-violent video game for 20 minutes
What was found in Matthews study?
Found that when participants played violent video games they had decreased activity in the prefrontal lobe which is responsible for controlling aggression, and more activity in the amygdala
What was found in Weinsteins study?
That computer games reduce aggression, found that in a sample of adolescent males the use of computer games helped to release aggression and feel calmer (cathartic-releasing aggression)
What are the evaluations of the effect of computer games on aggression?
😀Research evidence to support (Moller et al)
😀Practical application (age certificates)
😥Evidence against (Przybylski)
😥Studies measuring short term effects, lacks temporal validity
What was found in the study Moller et al?
-Assessed 295 13-16 year old students video game usage and various aggressive tendencies using a questionnaire at start of study and 30 months later
-Found that aggressive beliefs, attitudes and behaviours were associated with exposure to violent video games, sample also spent little time playing violent games, suggesting there may be even more aggression in students with higher-exposure
Why does the study of Przybylski contradict?
Because it demonstrates that frustration causes aggression, therefore the violent nature of a game doesn’t affect aggression, as demonstrated by tetris - a non violent game, causing aggression
What does the role of desensitisation suggest?
That the more someone is exposed to violence and aggression, the less they are affected by it, mostly in terms of emotional responses
-When a person watches violent and aggressive films, TV programmes or plays a violent video game continually, it reduces the impact and revulsion they have for violence
-More likely to lack remorse or shock, more likely to commit violent acts
What example could be used for desensitisation?
Example of what would likely happen to a child who frequently played gta-v
What are the evaluations of desensitisation?
😀Evidence to support: Carnegey
😥Incomplete explanation: individual differences (genetic/neural)
😥Evidence to support: Weisz and Earls
What happened in Carnegey?
Found that when participants played violent video games for 20 minutes and then watched a film of real violence, they had lower heart rates and galvanic skin response compared to those who played non-violent for 20 minutes
What happened in Weisz and Earls?
Participants watched film: Straw Dogs, with a graphic scene of rape, participants then watched a re-enactment of a rape trial, found that participants showed greater acceptance of sexual aggression, and less sympathy towards the victim, and were less likely to find D guilty than those who watched alternate film
