Effects Of Media

Question 1

What are media influences

Answer 1

Changes in behaviour that are attributed to exposure to media such as TV, computer or video games

Question 2

Why is it suggested that computer and video games have more powerful effects than TV media

Answer 2

• there is an interactive nature of computer and video games which means that the individual is no longer a passive observer but rather an active player
• game-playing involves interacting and engaging in violent behaviour which is often directly rewarding for the player (operant conditioning)

Question 3

What are the four research methodologies/designs used in media and aggression research

Answer 3

1. Experiments
2. Correlational studies
3. Longitudinal studies
4. Meta-analyses

Question 4

Describe the study of Robertson et al. (2013)

Answer 4

• studied the television viewing behaviours of New Zealand-born individuals at regular intervals from birth to age 26 years
• young adults who had spent more time watching television during childhood and adolescence were significantly more likely to have a criminal conviction, a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder, and more aggressive personality traits

Question 5

Describe the study of Bjorkqvist (1985)

Answer 5

• Finnish children were exposed to a film depicting either humorous or realistic violence in the form of cartoons or films with live actors; or a nonviolent control film
• children who watched the violent films showed an increase in physical and verbal aggression toward other children and were more aggressive toward objects

Question 6

Describe the study of Bartholow and Anderson (2002)

Answer 6

• participants played either violent (Mortal Kombat) or non-violent (PGA Tournament Golf) video game then carried out a retaliation reaction time task in the form of a competitive game
• participants would receive a punishment after each losing trial in the form of white noise blasts at chosen intensities
• those who played the violent video games set higher levels of noise punishment and these effects were greater for males than females

Question 7

Describe the study of Anderson et al. (2010)

Answer 7

• conducted a meta-analysis of 136 studies using correlational, experiments, and longitudinal
• exposure to violent video games was associated with increase in aggressive behaviour, cognition and affect (emotions) and lack of empathy and pro social behaviour in both men and women and across collectivist and individualist cultures