Explanations of Media influences on Aggression: Desensitisation

Question 1

Explanations of Media Influences on Aggression
- intro

Answer 1

Research shows media influence on aggression including the effects of violence in TV, films, the internet and computer games.

Several explanations have been proposed:
• Desensitisation
• Disinhibition
• Cognitive priming

Question 2

Outline desensitisation

Answer 2

Desensitisation = idea that repeated exposure to media violence removes the anxiety that normally inhibits aggressive behaviour, making aggression more likely.

Normally, when we witness violent actions, we experience physiological arousal associated with the sympathetic nervous system, (eg. increased heart rate, higher blood pressure and sweating).

This inhibits (prevents) aggressive behaviour.

However, when people (particularly children) repeatedly view aggression on TV or play violent computer games, they experience gradually less arousal (or anxiety) over time.

Therefore, when social conflict arises, they are more likely to respond with aggressive behaviour.

Desensitisation typically takes a long time - result of numerous repeated exposures to violent films/video games.

Question 3

Evaluate desensitisation exp
STRENGTHS

Answer 3

P) Support from Krahé et al (2007)
E) ppts who regularly viewed violent media showed lower levels of arousal (e.g. sweating) when shown violent film clips than non-regular viewers.
E) Lower arousal correlated with unprovoked aggression in a ‘noise blast’ task
L) regular exposure to media aggression does ‘desensitise’ the viewer, and desensitisation is linked to higher levels of unprovoked aggression

P) positive real-life consequences
E) army troops can become desensitised to the horrors of combat and become a more effective soldier.
E) practical application: use violent media eg. computer games to desensitise soldiers as part of conflict training
L) benefit lives/society

Question 4

Evaluate desensitisation exp
LIMITATIONS

Answer 4

P) research has been criticised for not measuring real-life aggression
E) eg Krahé et al (2007) delivering blasts of white noise at chosen volumes to punish a (non-existent) opponent is very different to real aggression, eg. no fear of retaliation.
E) also, aggression is only correlated with ‘desensitisation’, we cannot say desensitisation causes aggression, merely that they are linked
L) lacks external validity, can’t establish cause/effect

P) negative real-life consequences
E) Bushman et al (2009): exposure to violent media/desensitisation reduces helping behaviour
E) become ‘comfortably numb’ to pain and suffering of others and are less helpful.
L) negative effect on lives/society
E) awareness of the role desensitisation in behaviour is important in a range of situations

P) reductionist:
E) blaming aggression on media ignores role of biological factors
E) eg genetic exp; Brunner (1993) found defective ‘MAOA gene in a Dutch family with a history of male violence. eg hormonal exp: testosterone determine some aggressive behaviour.
L) media influence explanations of aggression = limited in successfully explain aggression, need other approaches