Desensitisation , disinhibition and cognitive priming Flashcards
What is desensitisation ?
Reduced sensitivity to a stimulus.
This may be psychological or physiological.This reduced response makes aggression more likely.
What is physiological arousal linked with
It is associated with the sympathetic nervous system ie . increased heart rate , high blood pressure.
What happens when children view repeated aggression or violence on the TV?
They become used to its effects , so the stimulus usually has a lesser impact , so anxiety and arousal become lower on repeated viewing or playing
How is desensitisation psychological ?
Repeated exposure to violent media promotes a belief that using aggression as a method of resolving conflict is socially acceptable.
Negative attitudes towards violence weaken, less empath for victims and injuries are minimised
What did the laboratory study highlight ?
Desensitisation effects
Researchers who conducted the study ?
Monica Weisz and Christopher Earls 1995
Procedure of the study ( desensitisation ):
They showed ppt the feature film Staw dogs , contained prolonged graphic scene of rape .
PPT then watched re-enactment of rape trial.
Results of desensitisation study
Male viewers of straw dogs showed greater acceptance of rape myths and sexual aggression. They also expressed less sympathy towards rape victim in the trial.
No such effects on female ppt.
What is disinhibiiton ?
A lack of restraint ( no longer inhibited) May be due to environmental triggers or over exposure to a stimulus, resulting in socially unacceptable behaviours becoming acceptable and more likely
Disinhibition explanation
According to this explanation, these usual restraints are loosened after exposure to violent media. Aggressive behaviour is often made to appear normative and socially sanctioned in such media especially if it portraylas minimise the effect of violence on its victims.
