media influjences

• what is desensitisation?


  - If we are sensitised to aggression, we experience physiological activity when we view it (increased HR, sweating etc)

  - makes us feel anxious and so we realise that aggression is an unpleasant thing

  - If we watch lots of aggressive acts we become desensitised to aggression

  - aggression no longer affects us

  - more likely to be aggressive as we don't experience anything negative when we encounter aggressive acts
• what is Carnagey et al (2007) study?


  Desensitisation

  
  

  ppts play either violent or non violent computer game for 20 minutes. They then watched a 10 minute film containing real life violence while having their physiological arousal measured. Those who played the violent game had a lower HR and skin conductance response

  
  

  ppts were less physiologically aroused when presented with violence, showing that they were less affected by it
• what is EVALUATION for desensitsation?

  - Alternative explanations for desensitisation. Study by Krahe et al failed to find a link between media viewing, lower arousal and provoked aggression. Suggests desensitisation may not explain impact of violent media exposed on all types of aggression. More valid explanation is catharsis - viewing violent media acts as a safety mechanism allowing people to release aggressive impulses without need to behave violently. Decreases validity of concept of desensitisation

  
  

  Lots of research evidence for desensitisation Implications/application - the desensitising effects of watching violence in the media are worrying for society
• what is disinhibition?


  - There are inhibitions to showing aggression as we know that it is frowned upon in society

  - However, if we are exposed to lots of violence in the media it changes our perception of what is normal and acceptable and these inhibitions are weakened

  - This is true if there are no negative consequences for the aggression

  - At this point we show disinhibition and act aggressively as we think it is socially acceptable.
• what is Berkowitz and Alito (1973)?

  Disinhibition

  
  

  found that ppts who saw a film depicting aggression as vengeance gave more (fake) electric shocks to a confederate

  
  

  when violence is presented as justified it weakens our inhibitions and makes us more likely to show aggressive behaviour
• what is EVALUATION for disinhibition?


  - Not everyone will be affected by disinhibition (e.g. if you were brought up with strong messages against violence)

  
  

  - Disinhibition is less likely to occur when we can see negative consequences of aggressive behaviour e.g. Goranson (1969) showed ppts a boxing match in which one opponent ended up dying. They were less likely to act aggressively.

  Research support e.g. Berkowitz and Alioto adds validity to disinhibition concepts as demonstrates link between removal of social constraints and subsequent aggressive behaviour
• what is cognitive priming?


  temporary increase in accessibility of thoughts and ideas. E.g. violent media activates thoughts or ideas about violence which activate other aggressive thoughts through their association in memory pathways.

  
  

  schema for how certain interactions go - use to shape our response. Cognitive scripts influenced by violent media and triggered when we perceive aggressive cues in our environment. Aggression primes us to act aggressively
• what is the study with Bushman (1998)?


  Cognitive priming

  
  

  had ppts watch either a violent film (Karate Kid III) or a non violent film (Gorillas in the Mist) and found that those who watched the violent film had quicker reactions to aggressive words

  
  

  violence priming aggressive thoughts making them more accessible

  quicker = aggressive schema easily accessible
• what is EVALUATION of cognitive priming?

  - Atkin (1983) points out that cognitive priming is more likely with realistic media

  
  

  - There are useful implications from this theory. If we know people have aggressive scripts that are triggered by cues deemed to be aggressive, we could encourage them to respond differently to these cues.

  Practical applications in real life situations in understanding how cp influences real life situations. Interpretation of env cues depends on cognitive scripts stored in memory. Explanations provides a possible means which violent media can trigger aggression through priming of cognitive scripts. Interventions can reduce aggressive behaviour by challenging hostile cognitive biases and encouraging violent media users to considers alternative such as humour or negotiation.
• what is Greitemeyer and Mugge (2014) study with computer games and aggression?

  DID:

  meta analysis of of 98 studies since 2009

  
  

  FOUND:

  Violent video games were linked to an increase in aggressive behaviour and a decrease in prosocial behaviour. Opposite was true of prosocial video games

  
  

  CONCLUDE:

  Incorrect to say that video games have a negative impact but violent ones do
• what is Anderson and Dill (2000) study with computer games and aggression?

  DID:

  ppts played violent games or puzzle games and told to blast imaginary opponent with noise

  
  

  FOUND:

  Those who had played the violent gam blasted the imaginary opponent with more noise

  
  

  CONCLUDE:

  playing violent games can lead to aggression - but LT effect?
• what is Anderson and Dill (2007) longitudinal study with computer games and aggression?

  DID:

  surveyed children at two points in the year

  
  

  FOUND:

  Those who had more exposure to violent video games became more verbally and physically aggressive and less prosocial

  
  

  CONCLUDE:

  Violent video games have a negative impact on children. With this in mind their use should be restricted
• what is Bartholow and Anderson (2002) experimental/lab study with computer games and aggression?

  DID:

  Students played either Mortal Kombat (violent) or PGA Tournament Gold (non-violent) for 10 minutes. They then measured how much white noise they blasted a (non existent opponent with)

  
  

  FOUND:

  Those who played a violent game chose significantly higher noise levels

  
  

  CONCLUDE:

  playing a violent video game for a short period of time can be harmful.
• what is the DeLisi et al (2003) correlational study with computer games and aggression?

  DID:

  juvenille offenders with histories of aggressive behaviour had a structured interview

  
  

  FOUND:

  Aggressive behaviour was correlated with how often they played violent computer games

  
  

  CONCLUDE:

  Supports the theory that violent computer games lead to aggressive behaviours
• what are the strengths of computer games and aggression?

  supporting research

  
  

  experimental studies allow us to establish causal link between media aggression and aggressive behaviour
• what are the limitations of computer games and aggression?

  - Other factors leading to aggression - game difficulty rather than content. Przybylski et al found not imagery but lack of difficulty players had in completing the game that led to aggression - across violent and non violent games. Suggests simplistic views of the link between video games and aggression as non violent games can lead players to feel aggressive if poorly designed or too difficult.

  
  

  - Failure to consider other variables. Ferguson et al - much of research failed to control other variables known to influence aggressive behaviour. Found effects of violent media content on aggression disappears when influences such as family violence and mental health considered. Suggests other risk factors being primary cause of aggressive and violent behaviour