Media influences - Effects of computer games

Question 1

How can the set up of computer games affect aggression ?

Answer 1

Different to tv as when watching the aggression is passive.

When playing video games the aggression is active.
Players often control an avatar in situations where aggression is the only way to progress in the game. (GTA)

Video games also have a reward system meaning aggression is positively reinforced.
(Operant conditioning)

Question 2

What is a positive to aggression in computer games?

Answer 2

May reduce real-life aggression by providing catharsis.

Feeling of relief from releasing negative emotions like anger/stress.

Question 3

What 3 processes can computer games cause ?

Answer 3

Desensitisation

Disinhibition

Cognitive priming

Question 4

What is desensitisation ?

Answer 4

Repeated exposure to aggression causes us to no longer have a strong reaction to it.

It makes it seem not so bad and so when they do it themselves it is easier for them to do it.

Question 5

What is Disinhibition ?

Answer 5

We are shown from a young age that aggression is not okay.
Often we are punished for it.

Overtime we become inhibited - we understand that aggression is not how we should resolve conflicts.

However in the media it is often shown to acceptable and so it counter acts the feelings of inhibition.

Question 6

What is cognitive priming?

Answer 6

We have schemas - mental scripts that tell us how to behave in certain situations.

We tend to pick up these scripts by observing others behaviour.

We may see a hero being threatened with a knife and reacting aggressively - these become cues/priming stimuli.

When we are exposed to these cues in real life we are cognitively primed to also act aggressively in a similar context.