Roles of Desensitisation, Disinhibition & Cognitive Priming

• DeWall and Anderson


  Propose a general aggression model to explain aggression, which states that aggression is such as broad behaviour so is different in everyone who displays it, that no one explanation along is sufficient in explaining it

  Instead, it's likely individuals who behave aggressively because of media exposure, are influenced by desensitisation, disinhibition and cognitive priming, not just one isolated influence
• Desensitisation


  Refers to reduction in arousal or anxiety in response to aggression in media, because of being exposed to it too frequently

  Normally, aggressive media evokes a physiological reaction in individuals through the nervous system

  However, when children & adults are repeatedly exposed to it, this diminishes over time, and they become desensitised to its effect

  Another effect of repeated exposure to aggressive media is psychological changes, such as learning a pro crime attitude and a decrease in empathy when people are hurt or victim of aggression
• Disinhibition


  Refers to the reduction of social & psychological inhibitions about aggressive behaviour

  Most people are aware that such behaviours are antisocial and unacceptable, however with repeated exposure to media that may positively reinforce aggressive behaviour, some people become disinhibited

  Aggressive media normalises what should remain deviant, and this can lead to new or changed social norms in people, groups or societies
• Cognitive Priming


  Refers to 'script' learning, meaning when we are exposed to aggressive media, they can often provide a framework for how aggressive situations usually occur

  This is stored in memory, making us 'primed' to be aggressive or engage in antisocial behaviour when we feel the situation warrants it
• Strength - research support

  for example, Weisz and Earls conducted a study to investigate the effect of watching violent media on aggression. Some ppts watched the film 'Straw Dogs' which includes graphic scenes of sexual violence. They then watched a re-enacted rape trial, and their attitudes and behaviours were compared to a control group who had watched a non-violent film instead

  the male ppts who watch Straw Dogs showed more acceptance of aggression and were less sympathetic towards the victim and find the defendant guilt. This shows that exposure to aggression media led to desensitisation
• Strength - further research support from Berkowitz and Alioto

  they found that when ppts watched media containing aggression as vengeance, they were more likely to administer fake shocks more frequently and longer lasting to a confederate

  from this, Berkowitz and Alioto claim that when aggression is seen as justified, people are disinhibited & more likely to consider aggressive behaviour as socially acceptable
• Weakness - criticised for being environmentally reductionist

  they assume that all aggression occurs because of exposure to media, regardless of culture or type of aggression. This assumes there are no other significant influences on behaviour that could lead to aggression

  when there are actually several credible explanations that are perhaps supported by more objective evidence such as biological theories
• Weakness - other alternative theories

  psychodynamic explanations suggest people watch aggressive media as it's cathartic, allowing people to release tensions or fulfil aggressive behaviours vicariously

  however, this explanations doesn't have as much empirical evidence for it, since concepts such as catharsis aren't as testable as disinhibition or desensitisation