explanations of media influences Flashcards
what are the explanations of media influences on aggression
1) desensitisation
2) disinhibition
3) cognitive priming
define desensitisation
the assumption that, under normal conditions, anxiety about violence inhibits use but the media removes this anxiety leading to aggressive tendencies
define disinhibition
exposure to violent media legitimises the use of violence in real life as it undermines the social sanctions that usually inhibit this behaviour
outline how desensitisation occurs
the more violence, through tv ect, an individual is exposed to the more acceptable aggressive behaviour becomes
frequent viewing causes the individual to become less anxious about violence as it becomes more normal, therefore the individual is more likely to engage in violence themselves
= it is the result of numerous, repeated exposure to violence
what are some indications that desensitisation has occurred
1) reduced physiological arousal ie heart rate and skin conduction rate, when exposed to real violence
2) change in cognitive and affective reactions such as desensitised individuals not noticing violence in real life or feeling less sympathy for victims of violence
outline how disinhibition can cause aggression
- our ideas of acceptability of harming others is acquired through social transmission and exposure of moral messages which allows standards of acceptable behaviour in individuals
- watching or playing violent media changes these standards of what is considered acceptable behaviour as it legitimises violent behaviour as it undermines the social sanctions that usually inhibit violence
outline a short term effect of disinhibition
violent media triggers physiological arousal which can lead to a greater probability of behaving aggressively
in this state inhibitions are temporarily suppressed by the drive to act
outline the long term effects of disinhibition
prolonged exposure to violence in the media means that violence is seen as part of every day life. when violence is left justified or unpunished the viewers guilt or concern about consequences is also reduced so they fell less inhibited about being aggressive
define cognitive priming
the priming effect of media images on previously learnt behaviours or schemas causing the activation of memories making aggression more likely in individuals who have learned aggressive responce in the past
outline how cognitive priming can increase aggression
it increases the accessibility of thoughts- the more accessible they are the more likely it will be used to interpret social information
frequent activation from prol9onged exposure to violent media results in a lowered activation threshold for aggressive thoughts allowing them to be accessed more readily and therefore also used to interpret information
evaluate desensitisation
1) research support- pps either played violent or non-violent video games for 20 mins and then watched a 10 min video clip of real violence whilst their heart rate and skin conductivity where recorded. PPS who had previously played violent video games had a lower heart and skin conductivity rate
2) real world application- desensitisation can be adaptive for individuals for example troops, desensitisation to the horrors of combat make them more effective in their role, however desensitisation to violent stimuli may also be detrimental. Research found that desensitisation as a result of media can reduce helping behaviour that otherwise maybe needed in times of distress-
3) research methods= correlational evidence
4) critical research= psychoanalytic theory where viewing violent images may be cathartic and therefore prevent actual expressions of violence
evaluate cognitive priming
1) research support- study using 200 male and female undergraduates who watched either a 15 min video of a violent film or a non-violent film. PPS who watch the violent had quicker reaction times to aggressive words than those who watched non-violent film - showed violent words/thoughts more accessible
2) priming is less likely with less realistic media- research found higher levels of aggression from PPS who watched more realistic violent media. Cartoon/fictional violence influences the types and intensity of activated thoughts- they have less priming effects
3) issue and debate=
evaluate disinhibition
1) disinhibition effect depends on a number of factors- research found children growing up in households with strong norms against violence are unlikely to experience sufficient disinhibition for them to perform aggressive behaviour compared to children who underwent physical punishment from parents - therefore limited explanation as not as straight forward as originally thought
2) research support that disinhibition is more likely in media where negative consequences aren’t made apparent or understood- researchers showed a film of a boxing match where there are 2 different endings. in one there is no consequence but in the second the loser had taken a beating and died . PPS who didn’t see the negative consequences were more likely to behave aggressively after viewing the fight
discuss media influences on aggression 16 marks
AO1
- social learning theory- observation, imitation
- mechanisms ie desensitisation, disinhibition and cognitive priming
- evidence from range of lab and field studies
AO3
