Media Influences

Question 1

What is desensitisation

Answer 1

• once you have been exposed to something for a long period of time you will end up becoming less affected or less shocked by it
• play a violent computer game for hours may become less shocked and less scared by future violence exposure
• more likely to react in an aggressive way once this has happened to them

Question 2

What is disinhibition

Answer 2

• ## acting free from pressures from others. This uncharacteristic behaviour is largely due to the fact that the individual is anonymous, free of authority and encouraged to take on the role

Question 3

What is cognitive priming

Answer 3

• the idea that cues from the media may be stored as memories. These scripts are then available when they are placed in a potentially aggressive situation.
• someone who is exposed to an aggressive message from a violent to programme may then be promoted to act more aggressively in the immediate aftermath
• more likely to join a fight if you have been playing a violent game for hours

Question 4

What effect do computer games have on aggression

Answer 4

• important because 33 million in the uk play computer games

Question 5

What does social learning theory suggest

Answer 5

• suggests observing the models in the game being rewarded for aggression could stimulate more aggression

Question 6

What does the frustration aggression hypothesis suggest

Answer 6

• suggests that the frustrating nature of games could lead to aggression rising

Question 7

What does de-individualisation suggest

Answer 7

• suggests that the individual playing may become more aggressive to other online players as they will have lost their public and private self-awareness

Question 8

What does desensitisation suggest

Answer 8

• can be caused by repeated exposure and therefore lowered arousal levels when the opportunity to be aggressive presents itself

Question 9

Evaluation of media influences on aggression

Answer 9

:( extrem,y difficult to determine a cause and effect with these factors
- all these studies can show a link but it’s impossible to rule out other reasons why people are aggressive
:( implications on the economy
- a lot of this research into this field has been accused of bias as it has been funded by the gaming industry
- they might change the conclusion so they can just continue to sell the video games