1
Q
neural mechanisms in aggression (3)
A
- reactivity of limbic system.
- amygdala
- low levels of serotonin.
2
Q
reactivity of limbic system
A
identified limbic system including the cingulate gyrus, hypothalamus, fonix and amygdala.
speed and sensitivity of limbic system responses to stimulus are important predictors of aggressive behaviour in humans.
3
Q
amygdala and aggression
A
plays key role in how we assess and respond to environmental threats.
carried out fMRI on participants in lab game produce agg
scans showed agg reactions associated with a fast and heightened response by amygdala
Benzodiazepine reduces arousal of the autonomic nervous system taken before the game halved the number of aggressive reactions and also decreased amygdala activity
4
Q
low levels of serotonin
A
normal levels of serotonin in the orbito frontal cortex are inhibitory and linked with reduced firing of neurones and associated with greater behavioural self control
decreased serotonin disturbs this mechanism, reduces self control and increases impulsive behaviour including aggression
compared levels of serotonin metabolite in cerebrospinal fluid of violent impulsive and non impulsive offenders
levels significantly lower in impulsive offenders disturbance of this pattern implies disruption of serotonin functioning.
5
Q
hormonal mechanisms in aggression
A
testosterone. is a hormone responsible for masculine characteristics
it helps regulate social behaviours via influences on areas of the brain involved in aggression.
found positive correlation between testosterone levels and aggressive behaviours in male offenders in UK max security hospitals. most suffered from personality disorders and had histories of impulsive violent behaviour
animal studies show experimental increases in testosterone are related to agg behaviour
converse is also true.
6
Q
evaluation of the neural hormonal mechanism in aggression strengths
A
- supporting evidence for the role of serotonin. research shows drugs that increase serotonin activity also reduce levels of agg behaviour. found that participants given serotonin enhancing drugs gave fewer and less intense electric shocks than placebo group. only true of participants who had prior history of aggressive behaviour.
- plausible mechanism to explain testosterone effects. bio social model of status suggests changes in testosterone following loss of status in competition should affect agg. lab based competition. found that 73% of losers whose testosterone levels rose afterwards decided to re challenge their opponents. but only 22^% of loser testosterone levels lowered. findings confirm predictions support validity.
7
Q
evaluation of the neural hormonal mechanisms in agg
limitations
A
- limbic system explanation excludes others. amygdala functions in tandem with orbitofrontal cortex to maintain self control and inhibit agg. showed OFC activity reduced in patients with agg. shows regulation of agg cannot be explained by limbic system alone
- role of testosterone in humans mixed evidence. only some research shows testosterone is significantly involved dual hormone hypothesis claims high testosterone leads to agg only when cortisol is low. high cortisol blocks influence.
- research is correlational
this is because the alternative are limited and studies not possible for ethical reasons. animal studies hard to generalise. research showing a correlation between serotonin and aggression risks oversimplifying the true mechanisms involved as other factors overlooked.
8
Q
genetic factors in agg
twin studies
A
coccaro et al studied adult male MZ and DZ twins
for direct physcial agg, found concordance rates of 50% for MZ and 19% for DZ.
for verbal agg the figures were 28% for MZ and 7% for DZ
9
Q
genetic factors in agg
adoption studies
A
similarities in agg behaviour between adopted child and biological parents suggest genetic influences are operating; but similarities with adopted parent suggest environmental factors.
Rhee and Waldman’s meta analysis of adoption studies found genetic influences accounted for 14% of the variance in agg.
10
Q
MAOA
A
is an enzyme that uptakes neurotransmitter after nerve impulse has been transmitted between neurons
it breaks down neurotransmitter into constituent chemicals to be recycled or excreted.
production of this enzyme determined by the MAOA gene a dysfunction in the operation of this gene may lead to abnormal activity of the MAOA enzyme, which affects levels of serotonin.
11
Q
variant in MAOA warrior gene
A
variation of the MAOA gene that leads to low MAOA activity in the brain is associated with agg behaviour
studied 28 males members of dutch family repeatedly involved in impulsively agg violent criminal behaviour.
these men had both abnormal low levels of MAOA in their brains and the low active version of the MAOA gene.
12
Q
violent domestic abusers and Low activity MAOA
A
studied 97 men from a treatment programme for domestic abusers, who had inflicted a form of agg called intimate partner violence (IPV)
men with low activity MAOA gene were the most violent perpetrators of IPV engaged in greatest psychological and physical agg and inflicted worst injuries on partners.
13
Q
role of early trauma MAOA and agg
A
found an association between antisocial agg and low activity MAOA gene variant in adult male but only in those who experienced significant trauma during the first 15 years of life
those with had bot experienced trauma were not especially agg as adults even if they possessed the low activity MAOA gene variant.
these findings together are strong evidence of a gene environment interaction diathesis stress
14
Q
evaluation of genetic factors in aggression
strengths
A
- MAOA explanation is supported from pro social behaviour research. males with high active MAOA variant were more co-operative in lab based taks made fewer agg moves. findings confirm importance of MAOA gene in agg behaviour.
- support from animal studies
genetic deletion techniques. showed MAOA knockout mice have increased brain serotonin and are hyper agg when serotonin is blocked by the drug floxetin mice revert to non aggressive. these findings show MAOA must have some function in relation to serotonin. keeping it at a normal level.
15
Q
evaluation of genetic factors in aggression
limitations
A
- difficult to isolate. difficult to separate genetic and environmental factors. someone with an aggression associated gene may only behave agg if environmental cues. showed participants low activity MAOA gene behaved agg in lab tasks only when provoked.
- multiple genetic factors. size of genetic effect stat sig but actually small so there are probably other genes involved. serotonin transporter gene, combination of this and MAOA gene most closely linked to IPV. doubt over candidate gene
- how agg is measured. methods differ sig between studies, self report, direct observation. meta analysis of 51 twin and adoption genetic factors had a greater influence on agg in studies using self report rather than report from someone else. valid conclusions
16
Q
ethological explanation
why is agg beneficial to survival
A
- reduces competition because a defeated animal is rarely killed but instead forced into territory elsewhere, reducing competition pressure
- establishes dominance hierarchies. e.g male chimp dominance gives him special status.
Pettit et al agg in playgroups played an important role in how some children became dominant over other, this is adaptive because dominance over others comes with benefits.
17
Q
ethological explanation
ritualistic agg
A
Lorenz observed most intra species aggression consisted mainly of ritualistic signalling and rarely became physical;
intra species agg usually ends with an appeasement display, indicates acceptance of defeat and inhibits agg in the winner, preventing damage to the loser
this is adaptive because every agg encounter ending with the dearth of an individual could threaten existence of species
18
Q
ethological explanation
innate releasing mechanism (IRM)
A
an innate releasing mechanism (IRM) is a built in physiological process or structure. it acts as a filter to identify threatening stimuli in the environment
an environmental stimulus activates the IRM. it triggers or releases a fixed action pattern (FAP)
19
Q
ethological explanation
fixed action pattern
A
fixed action pattern (FAP) is a pattern of behaviours triggered by an IRM.
Lea argues that a FAP is relatively unchanging behavioural sequence (ritualistic) found in every individual of a species (universal) and follows an inevitable course which cannot be altered before it is completed. (Ballistic)
20
Q
ethological explanation
key study Tinbergen male stickleback and agg
A
Procedure. another male entering a stickleback territory in the mating season initiates a sequence of agg behaviours (a FAP) red on the competing male’s underbelly is the stimulus that triggers the IRM that in turn leads to the agg FAP.
tinbergen presented male sticklebacks with a series of wooden models of different shapes
findings: if the model had a red underside the stickleback would aggressively display and attack it, but no red meant no aggression.
Tinbergen also found the agg FAP did not change from one encounter to another, once triggered it always ran its course to completion without any further stimulus.
21
Q
evaluation of the ethological explanation of agg
A
- supporting research evidence. low activity variation MAOA closely associated with agg suggests innate bio basis. evidence for IRMs for agg activity in limbic system triggers agg behaviour in humans and other animals. agg genetically determined validity supported by evidence,
- cultural differences in agg. when white males from southern united states were insulted thery were more likely to become agg. only true for reactive agg. difference caused by culture of honour.
- ritualistic aggression. chimps form one community systematically slaughter members from another in a coordinated and premeditated fashion. despite victims offering appeasement and defencelessness. did not inhibit agg.
- fixed action patterns are not that fixed. points out that sequences of behaviour that appear to be fixed and unchanging are greatly influenced by environmental factors and learning experiences. FAPs more flexible. suggests agg are affected by environmental influences
- unjustified generalisation. animal studies. complex behaviours e.g warfare which is the outcome of many interacting influence.
22
Q
evolutionary explanation
male aggression. Cuckoldry
A
threat of cuckoldry it is a wast of his resources because it contributes to survival of a rival genes and leaves the father with fewer resources to invest in hos own future offspring. men in evolutionary past who could avoid cuckoldry were more re-productively successful, so psychological mechanisms have evolved to increase anti-cuckoldry behaviours in men
this drives the often aggressive mate retention strategies men use to keep their partners. adaptive in evolutionary history
23
Q
mate retention strategies
A
wilson and daly identified 2 major mate retention strategies involving agg
- direct guarding: a man’s vigilance over a partner’s behaviour
- negative inducements: threats of consequences for infidelity.
24
Q
mate retention strategies linked to physical violence
Wilson
A
women who reported mate retention strategies in partners were twice as likely to suffer physical violence at their hands, 73% of these women required medical attention, 53% feared for lives.
men who used guarding or negative inducement were more likely to use physical violence against their partners these retention behaviours reliably predicted husbands use of agg against their wives.
25
evolutionary explanation
| bullying
bullying is a power imbalance in which a stronger individual uses agg repeatedly against a weaker person
researchers have traditionally viewed bullying as a manipulative behaviour but evolutionary ancestors may have used it as an adaptive strategy increasing chances of survival y promoting their own health and creating reproductive opportunities.
26
evolutionary explanation
| bullying in men
in men bullying suggest dominance, acquisition of resources, strength and also wards off potential rivals
characteristic associated with bullying deliver the ideal combination of access to more females and minimal threat from competing males, so aggressive bullying was naturally selected because these males would have reproductive success.
27
evolutionary explanation
| bullying in women
female bullying more often takes place within rather than outside a relationship and is a method of controlling a partner
women use bullying behaviour to secure a partners infidelity which means the partner continues to provide resources for future offspring, again, such behaviour would be naturally selected because it enhanced the woman's reproductive success.
28
evaluation of the evolutionary explanation
| strengths
- research support central concepts. many studies demonstrate that mate retention strategies are associated with sexual jealously and agg. direct guarding and negative inducements overwhelming used by males against both male and females. suggest risk of infidelity and agg linked supports prediction
- explains gender differences. male engage more often than females. agg in females risk the survival of their offspring so a more adaptive strategy is to use verbal agg to retain a partner who provides resources. validity
- real life application. anti bullying interventions. do not want to give up advantages without compensation.
29
evaluation of the evolutionary explanation
| limitations
- cultural differences. predicts agg is present in all cultures. !Kung san people of Kalahari discourage agg and those who use it lose status and reputation. not universal.
- methodological issues. extremely difficult to test hypothesis about the evolution of behaviours to solve problems of adaption. correlation does not conclude evolutionary related factors cause agg.
30
frustration aggression hypothesis
is based on the psychodynamic approach, aggression is a psychological drive similar to biological drives and we experience frustration if our attempt to achieve a goal is blocked by an external factor.
frustration creates an aggressive drive leading to aggressive behaviour.
31
frustration aggression
| aggressive behaviour is cathartic
expression of agg drive in behaviour is cathartic because the aggression created by the frustration is satisfied.
this reduces the drive making further agg less likely
32
frustration aggression
| why is aggression expressed indirectly
agg may be expressed indirectly because the cause of frustration is:
- abstract
- too powerful and we risk punishment
- unavailable
so our agg is displaced (deflected) onto an alternative, one that is not abstract, is weaker and is available
33
frustration agg hypothesis
weapons effect
Berkowitz and Lepage
found once students became frustrated in lab tasks, they were more likely to give electric shocks when they could see a weapon next to them
weapons effect shows that frustration only creates a readiness for aggression , and the aggressive cues in the environment make it more likely that agg will happen
34
key study Green frustration and aggression
procedure, male university students completed jigsaw puzzle. during which levels of frustration was manipulated in 1 of 3 ways
- puzzle was impossible to solve
- others ran out of time because another student kept interfering
- others were insulted by confederate
then participants gave electric shocks to confederate when-ether he made mistake
insulted participants gave the strongest shocks on average than the interfered group then the impossible task.
all 3 groups selected more intense than control
35
evaluation of the frustration aggression hypothesis
| strengths
- research evidence: meta analysis displaced agg behaviour against target other than one that caused. people provoked likely to aggress against innocent party. displaced agg, is a reliable phenomenon supporting validity.
- original hypothesis reformulated to fit evidence
frustration does not always lead to agg. agg occur without frustration. agg is trigger by -ve feelings generally. outcome of frustration can be range of responses. highlights flexibility of the hypothesis.
- useful real life application. argument trigger can pull the finger. featured in gun control debates. states that allow open carry. but presence of a weapon acts as a cue to agg making its use more likely. research into weapon effect may reduce gun related violence by showing agg cues should be removed from the environment
36
evaluation of the frustration agg hypothesis limitations
- agg is not cathartic. found participants who vented anger hitting punchbag became more angry and aggressive. venting to reduce anger putting petrol on fire cast doubts
- effects of justified and unjustified frustration
showed participants paper folding task but frustrated them by making it difficult to follow. hurry to meet girlfriend (unjustified) or boss told him (justified). participants who experienced unjustified produced most agg. justified frustration produced less agg but more than control. findings shows some forms of frustration create more agg.
37
Social learning theory applied to aggression.
Bandura SLT acknowledged that agg can be learned directly through operant conditioning. (+ve or -ve reinforcement and punishment)
38
SLT applied to agg
| learned indirectly through observation
observational learning explains agg
- child observes models being agg and works out how agg behaviour is performed
- child also observe the consequences of a model agg behaviour it it is rewarded child learns agg can be effective at getting what they want
vicarious reinforcement.
39
SLT cognitive aspects as applied to aggression
4 cognitive conditions are needed for observational learning to take place
- attention: observer notices model's aggressive actions
- retention: observer remembers model's aggressive behaviour and forms symbolic mental representation of it
- reproduction: observer repeats behaviour
- motivation: observer imitates behaviour if they have an expectation that behaving aggressively will be rewarding
40
SLT as applied to aggression
| Self efficacy
self efficacy is the extent to which we believe our actions will achieve a desired goal
a child confidence in their ability to be aggressive grows as they learn that aggression can bring rewards.
41
Key study SLY Bandura et al
procedure. young children individually observed an adult model playing with bobo doll
some children observed the model behaving aggressively towards the doll
children were then taken to another room where there was a bobo doll.
children in the agg model condition imitated the behaviour they observe, very close replication. direct cpy including using specific objects and verbal phrases
children in the non aggressive model condition showed almost no aggression later
42
evaluation of the SLT as applied to agg
| strengths
- supportive research evidence found most agg boys formed friendships with other agg boys training grounds for antisocial behaviour. this means they were exposed frequently to models. reinforcing consequences.
- highlights benefits of non agg models. people are not passive recipients of reinforcement, shape own agg behaviour. reduce agg by breaking cycle by encouraging agg kids to form friendships with non agg kids. proving non agg models.
- Useful real life applications. argue that media portray of agg behaviour can be powerful influence on child. especially tru if a media character is rewarded for being agg. such effects support predictions of SLT and can be applied to reducing agg behaviour by providing non agg models in the media.
43
evaluation of the SLT as applied to agg
| limitations
- cannot explain all forms. kids who use proactive (Cold, calculating) agg have high self efficacy they are confident so use agg to achieve goals. kids who show reactive agg (angry, impulsive) are hostile and suspicious of other and do not use agg to achieve anything except retribution. less explicable for SLT.
- difficulty explaining cultural differences. different cultures have different norms. some cultures social norms do not encourage agg so agg models are unavailable for children. but some still behave agg. suggest agg is instinctive and biological approach more valid
44
de-individuation applied to agg.
ZImbardo argued behaviour is usually constrained by social norms. agg behaviour usually discouraged.
but when we become part of a crowd we lose restraint and may behave in emotional impulsive and irrational ways, we become di individuated and lose individual self identity and responsibility for our own behaviour
responsibility is shared throughout the crowd. we ignore social norms and experience less personal guilt at harmful aggression directed at others.
45
de-individuation
| anonymity
several conditions of de-individuation promote agg, a major one is anonymity
we have less fear of retribution because we are unidentifiable in a crowd, the bigger the crowd, the greater the anonymity
anonymity provides fewer opportunities for others to judge us negative.
46
de-individuation
| anonymity reduces private self awareness
argue that anonymity reduces private self awareness because our attention is focused outwardly to the events around us.
this means we think less about our own beliefs and feelings, we are less self critical and evaluative,
47
De- individuation
| anonymity reduces public self awareness
anonokity also reduces public self awarness because we realise we are anonymous and our behaviour is less likely to be judged by other.
we no longer care how others see us, we become less accountable for our agg and destructive actions
48
key study Dodd student de- individuation
dodd asked psych students if you could do anything humanly possible which you would not be held responsible for what would you do. students knew their answers were anonymous. 3 independent raters who did not know the hypothesis decided which categories of prosocial or antisocial behaviour the responses belonged to
findings:
- 36% of responses involved a form of antisocial behaviour and 26% actual criminal acts.
- only 9% of responses were prosocial behaviours
in terms of how people imagine they would behave, this study demonstrates link between anonymity, de-individuation and agg behaviour.
49
evaluation of de-individuation strength
- supportive research evidence. looked at agg online behaviour in chatroom and uses of instant messaging. correlation between anonymity and hostile messages. agg hidden identities
- real life applications. de-individuation theory can help us to understand agg behaviour online. these services have features promoting de-individuation reduction of personal identity and an arousing immersive environment this real life application confirms the relevance of de-individuation concepts to agg.
50
evaluation of de-individuation limitations
- contradictory evidence. put strangers in a darkened room and told them to do what they want, they soon started kissing and touching. deviance in the dark study repeated told would be face to face with each other after-woulds kissing and touching reduced. despite guarantee of anonymity they were not agg
- de-individuation does not inevitable lead to agg. female participants gave shocks to confederate, either wearing masks, dressed as nurses or in own clothes. masked participants gave more shocks and nurses gave fewer. nurses were more compassionate towards victims in line with the prosocial role associated with uniform. both agg and prosocial behaviours are potential outcomes of de individuation. normative cues determine
- alternative explanation may account better for agg. social identity theory. de individuation leads to behaviour that conforms to local group norms because anonymity shifts individual attention from personal to social identity. anonymity and reduced self awareness do not have wider effects. agg not inevitable outcome.
51
institutional agg prisons.
| dis positional explanation - importation model
Irwin and cressy argued that inmates bring with them into prisons a sub culture typical of criminality including beliefs, values, norms, attitudes, learning experiences and personal characteristics;
inmates import these to negotiate their way through the unfamiliar prison environment in which existing inmates use agg to establish power, status and access to resources. agg is a result of individual characteristics of inmates and not the prison environment
52
institutional agg prison
dispositional explanation - importation model.
types of characteristics DeLisi
studied juvenile delinquents in California institutions who imported several negative dis positional features
e.g childhood trauma, anger, histories of substance abuse and violent behaviour
inmates in the study were more likely to engage in suicidal activity and sexual misconduct and committed more acts of physical violence brought to the attention of the parole board (compared with control group of inmates with fewer negative dis positional features)
53
evaluation of the dispositional explanation - importation model.
- research support. placed half of their male inmate in low security and half in second highest category. there was no sig difference in agg misconduct between the 2 groups features of the prison environment are less important predictors of agg behaviour than characteristics of inmates. strong evidence random allocation
- alternative to importation model may be better. claims the importation model is inadequate because it ignores roles of prison officials and factors linked to running. Administrative control model which states poorly managed prisons are more likely to experience most serious forms of inmate violence. these factors are more influential in determining agg than inmate characteristics casting doubt over validity
- interactionist model may be better. argue deprivation does not lead to violence unless combined with individual characteristics imported into the prison. this is more valid explanation because it explains the evidence and inmates experiences of institutional agg. it offers fuller account. more realistic.
54
situational explanation- deprivation model
Clemmer argued that harsh prison conditions cause stress for inmates who cope by behaving agg.
agg is also influence by unpredictable prison regime that regularly use lock ups to control behaviour. this creates frustration and reduces access to goods even further.
this is a recipe for agg, which becomes an adaptive solution to the problem of deprivation
55
situational explanation - deprivation model
| harsh conditions have psychological and physical factors
psychological factors - deprived of freedom, independence and heterosexual intimacy
physical factors- deprivation of material goods increases agg competition amongst inmates to acquire them
56
situational explanation - deprivation model
| Steiner
investigated factors predicting inmate agg in 512 US prisons inmate on inmate violence was more common in prisons where there were higher proportions of female staff, African american inmates, Hispanic inmates, and inmates in protective custody for their own safety.
these are prison level factors because they are independent of individual characteristics of prisoners, they reliably predicted agg behaviour in line with the deprivation model
57
evaluation of situation explanation- deprivation model
- research support research shows that some situational variables are highly influential. analysed inmate homicides in Texas prisons and found motivations for the behaviours were linked to some of the deprivations identified by clemmer. as these factors predicted. validity
- contradictory research evidence. lack of freedom and heterosexual contact leads to high levels of agg. however studies inmates of prisons allowing conjugal visits. there was no link between these and reduced agg. this shows situational factors do not necessarily affect prison violence.
- interactionist model may be better. argue deprivation does not lead to violence unless combined with individual characteristics imported into the prison. this is more valid explanation because it explains the evidence and inmates experiences of institutional agg. it offers fuller account. more realistic.
58
effect of computer games on aggression types of experiments
experimental studies - lab studies of short term effects of computer games can demonstrate cause and effect
correlational studies - can investigate real life variables and are usually short term
longitudinal studies - correlational studies conducted over long period of time looking at long term effects
met-analyses - bring together a variety of studies to give a judgement of size of the effect of violent media on agg
59
experimental research into effect of computer games on agg Bartholow and Anderson
participants played violent or non violent computer games for 10 minutes, then carried out the Taylor competitive reaction time task a standard lab measure of agg (choosing volume of noise blast)
those who played the violent game selected sig higher noise levels compared with non violent players.
60
correlational research into effect of computer games on agg DeLisi et al
studied 227 juvenile offenders with histories of serious agg behaviour. structured interviews used to gather data on agg and violent computer game playing
agg behaviour was positively correlated with how often they played violent computer games and how much they enjoyed them.
researchers claim the link is so well established that computer game violence should be considered a significant risk factor.
61
longitudinal research into effects of computer games on agg Robertson et al
studied 1037 people born in new Zealand measuring their TV viewing hours at regular intervals up to the age of 26 years.
time spent watching TV was a reliable predictor of agg behaviour in adulthood and diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder.
the mos important media related factor in influencing agg behaviour may be the amount of TV watched rather than whether it has violent content or not.
62
meta analysis into effects of computer games on agg
| anderson et al
meta analysis of 136 studies included, experimental, correlational, and longitudinal research
exposure to violent computer games was associated with increases in agg behaviours, thought and feelings
this applied to both males and females and across collectivist and individualist cultures.
63
what is the conclusion on effect of violent game playing on agg
anderson et al claim the effect of violent game playing on agg behaviour is greater than the effect os second hand smoke on cancer
the analysis also showed non indication that publication bias influenced the results
64
evaluation of research into the effect of computer game on agg
- experiment measures of agg artificial. the taylor competitive reaction time task is an unrealistic measure. lab situations are unrealistic because they do not involved retaliation they have permission to be safely agg. cast doubt on the validity of experimental studies.
- experimental. non equivalence problem. compare participants who play a violent computer game with those who play non violent but difficult of game changed. more violent was more complicated leading to frustration.
- correlation cant determine causation. no variables manipulated or random allocation of participants. +ve correlation explained by socialisation people who are agg chose violent video games. direction of causality cannot be settled.
- longitudinal. confounding variables. conducted over long periods. many sources of agg interact with media influence of this period e.g role models difficult to separate them and asses contributions. therefore impossible to conclude.
- publication bias. there is a tendency to only publish significant findings this is a problem for meta analysis creates the false impression that effect on agg is greater
65
desenitisation
desensitisation =reduced physiological response (SNS arousal). normally when we witness agg we experience arousal associated with the sympathetic nervous system. (SNS) (increased heart rate, blood pressure, sweat activity)
but when children repeatedly view agg on TV or play violent computer games they become habituated and the physiological effects are reduced (desensitisation) the stimulus that is usually adverse has a lesser impact.
66
research into desensitisation explaining how it leads to agg
repeated exposure to violent media promotes a belief that agg as a method of resolving conflict is socially acceptable. therefore negative attitudes towards violence weaken, less empathy is felt for victims.
Weisz and Earls showed participants the film straw dogs containing graphic rape scene. male viewers showed greater acceptance of rape myths after watching a fake rape trial (compared with male viewers of non violent film)
they also showed less sympathy to the victim and were less likely to found the defendant guilty (no similar effect for female participants)
67
disinhibition
disinhibition = exposure to violent media changes usual restraints.
most people believe violence an d agg are antisocial so there are powerful social and psychological restraints against using agg to resolved interpersonal conflicts
violent media gives agg behaviour behaviour social approval, especially where effects on victims are minimised and appear justified.
the effect is that the usual restraints on individuals are loosened (disinhibited) after exposure to violent media
68
How does disinhibition works
disinhibition= exposure to violent media changes usual restraints.
it is not unusual for computer games to show violence being rewarded at the same time as its consequences are minimised or ignored.
such rewards strengthen the new social norms in the viewer.
69
cognitive priming
congitive priming = a script learned about how to behave to aggressive cues
repeated experience of aggressive media can provide us with a script about how violent situations may play out.
Huesmann argues that this script is stored in memory so we become ready (primed) to be aggressive
this is an automatic process because a script can direct our behaviour without us being aware of it
the script is triggered when we encounter cues in a situation that we perceive as agg
70
research into cognitive priming songs with agg lyrics
Fischer and Greitemeyer investigated song lyrics as a form of media violence. male participants listened to songs featuring agg derogatory lyrics about women.
compared with when they listened to neutral lyrics, participants later recalled more negative qualities about women and behaved more agg towards a female confederate. similar results with female participants and men hating lyrics.
71
evaluation of media influence on agg strengths
- research support of desensitisation. showed participants violent film clips whole measuring psychological arousal using skin conductance. viewers of violent media showed lower arousal when watching violent film clips. arousal was -ve correlated with unprovoked agg.
- research to support disinhibition. showed film depicting agg as vengeance. participants gave more electric shocks of longer duration to a confederate. media violence may disinhibit agg when it is justified. vengeance is powerful justification. socially acceptable. add to validity.
- disinibition can explain the effect of cartoon violence. argues that children do not learn specific behaviours from cartoons but learn social norms the agg carried out is socially normative and goes unpunished. supports.
- cognitive priming is useful practical application. understanding how it influences agg can potentially save lives, whether situations break into violence depends on how individuals interprets cues which depends on scripts stored in memory claim someone who habitually watches violent media accesses stored agg scripts more readily.
72
evaluation of media influences. limitations
desenistisation is catharsis may be better explanation.
failed to find a link between media viewing lower arousal and reactive agg. this may be because catharsis occurred viewing violent media acts as safety valve, allowing participants to release agg impulses without behaving violently. cannot explain this agg is not the outcome of desensitisation. catharsis is more valid.
Psychology A level
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