Media influences on aggression

• What is cognitive priming according to Berkowitz?

  A temporary increase in thought accessibility
• How does media violence affect aggressive thoughts?

  It activates aggressive thoughts in memory pathways
• What might happen after playing a violent video game?

  Increased feelings of anger and harm motivation
• What is the relationship between thought accessibility and social information interpretation?

  More accessible thoughts help interpret social information
• What did Fischer and Greitemeyer (2006) investigate regarding media violence?

  • Priming of aggressive scripts in memory
  • Male participants listened to derogatory lyrics
  • Resulted in recalling negative qualities about women
  • Led to aggressive behavior towards a female confederate
• What did Anderson and Dill find about violent computer games?

  • Participants playing violent games had more aggressive thoughts
  • A single incident of violent gameplay primed aggression
  • Demonstrated the power of cognitive priming
• How can cognitive priming be applied practically?

  By challenging hostile cognitive biases
• What individual differences might affect cognitive priming's impact?

  Personality predispositions towards certain behaviors
• What biological factor does cognitive priming ignore?

  The role of the MAOA gene
• What is a criticism of cognitive priming regarding responsibility?

  It is deterministic and removes responsibility implications
• What is one adaptive benefit of desensitization for individuals in combat?

  It makes them more effective in their role
• Who conducted research on violent media exposure and helping behavior?

  Bushman and Anderson
• What effect does violent media exposure have on helping behavior?

  It reduces helping behavior in distress situations
• How do Bushman and Anderson (2009) describe the impact of media violence on people's empathy?

  People become numb to pain and suffering
• What is the duration of the effects of desensitization from violent media?

  Limited to the period of viewing
• What happens to the effects of desensitization once someone stops playing violent media?

  The effects are reversed and negligible
• What is the main conclusion about the effects of desensitization from violent media?

  Effects are negligible after stopping media
• What are the adaptive benefits of desensitization in various professions?

  It helps individuals cope with traumatic experiences
• What psychological mechanisms might explain desensitization?

  Repeated exposure reduces emotional response
• What are the long-term implications of repeated exposure to violent media?

  Potential for lasting numbness to suffering
• How might desensitization effects differ among various demographics?

  Different age groups may respond differently
• What role do individual differences play in susceptibility to desensitization?

  Personality traits can influence susceptibility