Desensitisation, disinhibition and cognitive priming

Desensitisation:

Normalisation of violence → lower emotional response

Desensitisation evaluation:

+ Research support = Krahé (2011) found physiological arousal was lower the more violent media consumed

- Frustration aggression suggests violent media is cathartic → lower aggressive behaviour

Disinhibition:

Aggression in media is normalised or rewarded

Disinhibition evaluation:

+ Research support = Berkowitz and Alioto (1973) revenge aggression film lead to higher shocks

- Frustration aggression suggests violent media is cathartic → lower aggressive behaviour

Cognitive priming:

Schema from media on how to react in violent situations

Cognitive priming evaluation:

+ Research support = Fischer and Greitemeyer (2006) found men and women who listened to a misogynistic song were more aggressive to a female confederate

- Complexity more likely = Zendle (2018) found when complexity was controlled in violent video games, priming effects decreased