Disinhibition

• Disinhibition

  Disinhibition is when an individual displays behaviours that are uncharacteristic for them and not socially accepted. This also includes having a lack of restraint for behaviours they would not normally display (e.g., aggression). It can be argued that playing aggressive video games might insight some to violence who are passive.
• Disinhibition - SLT

  We learn how to behave through socialisation including exposure to moral messages on TV and in the media. The justification of violence in the media is therefore one of the ways children can infer what is acceptable behaviour. Watching violent films can change what is acceptable to your mind.
• Disinhibition can have an immediate or long term effect. Violence on TV triggers physiological arousal which leads to greater probability of behaving aggressive. Inhibitions are temporarily suppressed by the drive to act. In the longer term, prolonged exposure gives the message that violence is a normal part of everyday life
• A strength is that there is supporting evidence. Berkowitz and Aliato found people who saw a film showing aggression as Vengeance gave more shocks to a confederate. Media violence may disinhibit aggression if presented as justified or socially acceptable, as in the case of vengeance. It demonstrates the link between removal of social constraints and aggressive behaviour.
• A strength of Disinhibition is that it can explain cartoon violence. Children do not learn specific aggressive behaviours from cartoon models. For example, head spinning around. They learn that aggression is acceptable, especially if it goes unpunished. Therefore, disinhibition explains how cartoon aggression can lead to aggression in those who observe it.