explanations of media influences

• What is desensitisation in the context of media violence?

  Reduced emotional response to violence
• How does media violence lead to aggressive behavior?

  It removes anxiety about violence
• What happens to a child's perception of violence after watching it frequently?

  They perceive it as 'normal'
• What effect does desensitisation have on sympathy for victims of violence?

  It reduces sympathy for victims
• What message does prolonged exposure to media violence convey?

  Violence is acceptable in everyday life
• How does the portrayal of unpunished violence on television affect viewers?

  It reduces guilt about violent actions
• What is cognitive priming in relation to violent media?

  Activating thoughts about violence
• How does frequent exposure to violent media affect aggressive thoughts?

  It lowers the activation threshold for aggression
• What did Carnagey et al. (2007) find regarding violent video games?

  They cause physiological desensitisation
• What physiological response was observed in participants who played violent video games?

  Lower heart rate during violent scenes
• What are the potential effects of desensitisation on individuals and society?

  • Adaptive for some individuals (e.g., troops in combat)
  • May reduce helping behavior in society
  • Can lead to increased acceptance of violence
• What do Bushman and Anderson (2009) suggest about desensitisation?

  It reduces helping others in distress