Media Influences on Pro Social Behaviour

Question 1

What are the 4 AO1 points?

Answer 1

1) Exposure to PS behaviour
2) Acquisition of PS behaviour and norms
3) Developmental factors
4) Parental mediation

Question 2

Despite moral panic over AS content of children’s TV shows, what has been found regarding PS content?

Answer 2

Comparable level of prosocial content

Question 3

What did Greenberg find (prosocial content on TV)

Answer 3

Equivalent number of PS/AS acts in any given hour

Question 4

Why is there mixed evidence towards PS exposure on children programming?

Answer 4

• Not all children exposed (exception of preschool)

- Only 4/20 top programmes contained at least 1 PS act

Question 5

Why is the PS exposure on children TV limited?

Answer 5

• Most popular contain no PS lessons

- Maybe contributory factor in popularity

Question 6

What does Bandura’s SLT state?

Answer 6

Observation of others influences and models our own behaviour, which we may imitate

Question 7

SLT in regards to PS behaviours

Answer 7

• PS behaviour is rewarded and learnt through vicarious learning

Question 8

Why might prosocial behaviour on TV be effective relating to the SLT?

Answer 8

Represents already established social norms, so REINFORCES rather than contrasts

Question 9

In relation to SLT, why might antisocial acts not have an effect?

Answer 9

Novelty behaviour, less likely to be rewarded

Question 10

AO2 Studies of one-shot exposure to prosocial models - what has been found?

Answer 10

Children more affected when shown exact steps for prosocial behaviour

Question 11

WHY are Children more affected when shown exact steps for prosocial behaviour?

Answer 11

Concrete acts easier to remember

Question 12

AO2 Prosocial imitation from media be less common, except…

Answer 12

Except when followed with discussion

Largest effects found in classroom viewings with teacher lead discussions

Question 13

Prosocial norms being reinforced may be effective when lead with discussion. Why wasn’t this found in a psychiatric hospital?

Answer 13

• Discussion led to decreased altruism

- Teenagers opting for counter-view to adults?

Question 14

How might development affect prosocial behaviours?

Answer 14

Many skills associated with PS behaviour develop throughout c-hood and adolescence
- Strong developmental diffs might be expected in the degree to which kids of diff ages are influenced

Question 15

Why might younger children be less affected by PS portrayals?

Answer 15

Less developed!

Question 16

Who opposed the idea of development affecting PS behaviour?

Answer 16

Mares in a meta-analysis

Question 17

What did Mares find in his MA?

Answer 17

• Weakest effect for adolescent and strongest for PS children (contrasts expectations)

Question 18

What does Mares meta analysis findings show?

Answer 18

• Idea of media affecting behaviour may be unrealistic

- More affected by home experience

Question 19

How can parents help in amplifying prosocial effects?

Answer 19

• Presence of parent/co-viewer (BBCs watch with Mother)

Question 20

What did Austin suggest about Parental Mediation?

Answer 20

Effective mediation - discussing programme, explaining any ambiguity, following up presented concepts

Question 21

What are some positive effects of Parental Mediation?

Answer 21

• Shown to enhance Sesame Street learning

- Children as young as 8 can understand complex moral messages

Question 22

What is a limitation of parental mediation in enhancing PS behaviours?

Answer 22

Limited research support

Question 23

What did Valkenberg find in relation to parental mediation?

Answer 23

Only some forms (constructive - explanation) effective

Co-viewing largely ineffective

Question 24

What is a final limitation of prosocial explanations?

Answer 24

Lack of generslaition

Question 25

Why don’t we generalise prosocial acts

Answer 25

More subtle and less memorable