Media Influences On Aggression Flashcards
What are the effect of computer games and what is the negative outcome?
- exposure to violence in games has a desensitisation affect.
- the positive reinforcement in games in relation to violence makes you less reactive to violence in real life.
- it can affect moral judgement.
What are games thought to relive and what is this called?
- stress
- called Catharsis - purging of a strong emotion.
Name a piece of research into the effects of computer games
- Weinstein
- found a positive cathartic effect
- found using adolescent males that computer games release aggression and calm them down.
- computer games are a socially accepted outlet for intense feelings by this age group.
Name two pieces of evaluation for computer games.
❌ only research short term affects, doesn’t consider long term affects of violence in computer games.
❌ affects of computer games vary - children are more impressionable and still developing. Will affect their moral code more than adults.
What is de- sensitisation?
- the more someone is exposed to violent/ aggressive media the less aggressive media will affect you.
- emotional response reduced.
What is the negatives with de - sensitisation?
- makes aggressive behaviour not seem as bad.
- creates more violence as it is not viewed as aggressive. But it is to someone who is not de - sensitised.
What does research show in de - sensitisation?
That children become more tolerant to violence the more colons films they watch.
What is disinhibition?
- aggression shown in computer games that may not be shown other wise ( everyday life)
- creates uncharacteristic behaviour
- brings aggression out of people who everyday are passive.
What are the three types of explanations for disinhibition?
- Anonymity and invisibility
- Solipsistic introjection
- Minimisation of authority
What is anonymity and invisibility?
- invisible when on computer game
- less responsibility for behaviour
- less fear
What is solipsistic introjection?
Feeling cognitively merged with an actor in a game
- playing as an alter gamer - part of the game
- behaviour uncharacteristically to match the game.
What is minimisation of authority?
- no law enforcement or awareness of legal consequences
- Crimea last behaviour acted out in a game
Name some research into disinhibition?
- 2 groups of 6 boys
- 1 Watches violent hockey
- 1 watches non violent media
- naturalistic observation
- found violent tv prompted higher amount of cues for aggression.
- androcentric on boys
Name two pieces of evaluation for disinhibition.
❌ no research to show affects of media away from the media. Only shows aggression when engaged in media.
❌ disinhibition May only occur when fully engaged in the game with no distractions (external stimuli) this is hard to find people fully concentrated. Therefore applicability of research is not widespread.
