Repeated exposure to aggression reduces normal arousal making aggressive behaviour more likely.
Desensitisation
Repeated exposure to violent media promotes the belief that using aggression as a method of resolving conflict is socially acceptable. Negative attitudes towards violence weaken, less empathy felt for victims, their injuries are minimised and dismissed
Krahe et al (2011) - AO3 support
Showed ppts violent (and non-violent) video clips whilst measuring physiological arousal. Ppts who have previously watched lots of violent films demonstrated lower levels of physiological arousal when shown the violent video clips.
Strengths of desensitisation
Desensitisation can also have an adaptive role. For example, within the armed forces, a degree of desensitisation allows combat troops to be more effective in their roles. . This suggests that desensitisation to violence should be encourages in certain job roles to enhance performance rather than being seen as a threat.
Limitations of desensitisation
Krahé et al.'s study failed to find a link between media viewing, low arousal and provoked aggression. This suggests that desensitisation may not explain the impact of violent media exposure on all forms of aggressive behaviour.