Aggression: Media Influences- AO1

Question 1

What effect is media thought to have on Aggression?

Answer 1

Frequently seeing aggression in the media is thought to lead to increased aggression in the viewer.

Question 2

What effect is excessive TV viewing thought to have on aggression?

Answer 2

Hours of TV viewing, irrespective of whether the content is violent, may lead to aggressive behaviour

Question 3

What was the aim of Robertson et al.’s (2013) study on media and aggression?

Answer 3

To investigate the impact of TV viewing hours on aggressive behaviour

Question 4

What was Robertson et al’s experimental method?

Answer 4

They conducted a longitudinal study.

Question 5

How many people did Robertson et al study? What did they measure?

Answer 5

They studied 1037 people and measured their TV viewing hours at regular intervals up to age 26

Question 6

What were the key findings of Robertson et al.’s (2013) study?

Answer 6

The amount of time spent watching TV predicted aggressive behaviour in adulthood. Those who watched the most TV were more likely to be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder.

Question 7

What effect is violent film viewing thought to have on aggression?

Answer 7

Violent Films are potentially the most significant media influence on aggression, as the content itself is explicitly violent.

Question 8

What was the aim of Bandura et al.’s (1963) study on the influence of media on aggression?

Answer 8

To investigate the extent to which exposure to violence, whether through film or real-life models, influences imitative aggression in children.

Question 9

What was Bandura et al’s procedure?

Answer 9

Reproduced the earlier study of Bandura’s BoBo Doll, but this time, 1 group of children watched a film of the Bobo Doll being beaten by an adult model, while others watched in person.

Question 10

What were the findings of Bandura et al.’s (1963) study?

Answer 10

Both the group that observed the real-life model and the film-watching group showed high levels of imitative aggression,

Question 11

What does Bandura’s findings suggest?

Answer 11

Suggests the social learning processes of vicarious reinforcement also operates through media, as well as face-to-face

Question 12

What was the aim of Paik & Comstock’s (1994) meta-analysis?

Answer 12

To examine the relationship between exposure to TV/film violence and antisocial behaviour through the analysis of existing research studies.

Question 13

How many studies were in Paik & Comstock’s meta-analysis?

Answer 13

200

Question 14

What were the findings of Paik & Comstock’s meta-analysis?

Answer 14

They found a positive correlation between viewing TV/film violence and anti-social behaviour

Question 15

How was Paik & Comstock’s finding limited?

Answer 15

The findings accounted for only 1-10% of the variance in children’s aggressive behaviour

Question 16

What effect is computer games thought to have on aggression?

Answer 16

Computer games may have more power effects than traditional media, because the player takes a more active role, and game playing is more actively rewarding (operant conditioning)

Question 17

What was the aim of Bartholow & Anderson’s (2002) study?

Answer 17

To investigate the effects of playing violent computer games on subsequent aggressive behaviour, compared to playing nonviolent games.

Question 18

What was the research design of Barthalow & Anderson?

Answer 18

Independent Groups Design

Question 19

What was Barthalow & Anderson’s procedure?

Answer 19

Students played a violent computer game and a non-violent computer game for 10 minutes. They then carried out the Taylor Competitive Reaction Time Task.

Question 20

Which games were used in Bartholow & Anderson’s study?

Answer 20

Mortal Kombat (violent) and PGA Tournament Golf (non-violent)

Question 21

What were the key findings of Bartholow & Anderson’s (2002) study?

Answer 21

Participants who played the violent game exhibited significantly higher levels of aggression, as measured by the intensity of aversive noise blasts delivered to their “opponent” in the Taylor Competitive Reaction Time Task (TCRTT)

Question 22

How many dB of noise did violent game participants blast their opponent with?

Answer 22

5.97dB

Question 23

How many dB of noise did non-violent game participants blast their opponent with?

Answer 23

4.6dB

Question 24

How many studies did Anderson et al. include in their meta-analysis?

Answer 24

136

Question 25

Were all the methodologies of the studies the same in Anderson et al’s meta analysis.

Answer 25

No, there were 3 types of methodology (experimental, correlational and longitudinal)

Question 26

What was the aim of Anderson et al.’s meta-analysis?

Answer 26

To investigate the overall relationship between exposure to violent computer games and aggression through the analysis of data from multiple studies using different methodologies.

Question 27

What were the findings of Anderson et al’s meta-analysis?

Answer 27

Exposure to violent computer games was associated with increases in aggressive behaviours, thoughts and feelings

Question 28

What are strengths of Anderson et al’s meta analysis?

Answer 28

They found no evidence of publication bias, suggesting a well rounded approach
They also found it was true for males and females in collectivist and individualistic cultures (universal)

Question 29

What was the interpretation from Anderson et al’s meta-analysis?

Answer 29

The effect of violent gaming on aggression is more than the effect of second hand smoke on cancer

Question 30

What was the aim of DeLisi et al.’s (2013) study?

Answer 30

To investigate the correlation between playing violent computer games and engaging in aggressive behaviour among juvenile offenders.

Question 31

What was the procedure of DeLisi et al?

Answer 31

Studies 277 juvenile offenders which serious aggressive behaviours such as hitting a teacher/parent/gang fighting.

Question 32

How many offenders did DeLisi et al study?

Answer 32

277

Question 33

What were the findings of DeLisi et al.’s (2013) study?

Answer 33

Offender’s aggressive behaviour was significantly correlated with how often they played violent computer games and how much they enjoyed them

Question 34

What was the interpretation from DeLisi et al.’s (2013) study?

Answer 34

Aggression should be a public health issue like HIV/AIDS and computer game violence a significant risk factor like condoms.

Question 35

What is the Taylor Competitive Reaction Time Task?

Answer 35

A psychological test that is used to measure aggression and impulse control. Participants believe they are playing against another person, but they are playing against a pre-programmed algorithm.

The winner is determined based on who reacts faster. The winner can then manipulate the duration and intensity of the aversive noise blast delivered to their “opponent”

Question 36

What is vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 36

Vicarious reinforcement is learning from observing the consequences of others’ actions.

Question 37

What is publication bias?

Answer 37

Publication bias is when the outcome of research studies influences whether they are published or not.

Question 38

What is the file drawer problem?

Answer 38

File drawer problem is the tendency of researchers to file away or not publish studies that have null or non-significant results (or results that go against current statistics)