A03

• * evidence to support desensitisation by weisz & earls 1995?

  • showed 1 group film straw dog - contained prolonged & graphic scene of rape
  • then watched re-enactment of rape trial
  • other group only watched re-enactment
  • found p in g1 showed greater acceptance of sexual aggression & expressed less sympathy towards rape victim & less likely to find defendant guilty
  • shows that when people have watched media violence they are less sensitive to real life violence
• X ignores individual differences for desensitisation?

  • media influence is widespread - many people watch aggressive films/tv shows & play aggressive computer games
  • but not everyone becomes desensitised to real life violence
  • even though some people play aggressive computer games they still show emotion towards real life violence & dont necessarily become aggressive themselves
  • we cant say that just because media influence is widespread that everyone will become aggressive/desensitised to real life aggression
• X only effective in some forms of media for disinhibition?

  • its clear that in computer games theres a feeling of being anonymous & minimisation of authority so disinhibition more likely to occur & people be more aggressive
  • it may not occur when people watch aggressive tv/film
  • so does not explain all aggressive behaviour
• X explains aggression whilst playing video games for disinhibition?

  • it explains why person is unusually aggressive whilst playing computer game
  • but does not explain long term aggression
  • when they finish playing game they are no longer anonymous & do not have minimisation of authority so less likely to be aggressive
  • does not explain long term aggression so could be other factors - genetics that better explain aggression
• * evidence to support from murray 2007 for CP?

  • gave fmri scans on children watching violent & non violent films
  • found that those watching violence had an increased brain activity in areas associated with emotion (aggression) & personal memories (schemas)
  • when watching violence it cues aggressive acts to be added to their schema which is then used in real life when same/similar cues are seen
• X correlational for CP?

  • pro - relationship can be established between cognitive priming & aggression as evidenced from murray
  • con - not causal relationship as other factors (genetics) could influence aggression - levels of serotonin they possess
  • cause & effect relationship cannot be established between CP & aggression or whether there are other factors that cause aggression
• X another better explanation?

  • psychodynamic explanation says that actually being exposed to aggression in media can actually reduce aggression not increase it
  • suggests that aggression in media as carthatic effect so playing aggressive games/watching aggression in media allows person to release their aggressive instincts - lowering their aggression in real life.
  • it states that media reduces aggression rather than increases it
  • would suggest that there are better explanations for media influences on aggression - psychodynamic explanation