Desensitisation

What is desensitisation?

Desensitisation is the process by which repeated exposure to violent media, such as video games or films, leads to a reduced emotional and physiological response to violence over time.

How does the normal physiological response to violence work?

Under normal circumstances, witnessing violence activates the sympathetic nervous system, increasing heart rate and adrenaline, producing a fight-or-flight response designed to protect individuals from threat.

How does desensitisation affect emotional response to violence?

With repeated exposure to violent media, individuals show reduced emotional arousal and weaker physiological responses, meaning they may become less fearful or emotionally responsive to real-world aggression.

Why is desensitisation considered potentially dangerous?

It may reduce natural inhibition toward violence, making individuals more accepting of aggression and more likely to behave aggressively in real-life situations due to reduced emotional barriers.

How can desensitisation be measured?

Desensitisation can be measured using physiological indicators such as heart rate and galvanic skin response (GSR), which show levels of emotional arousal when exposed to violence.

How does Carnagey support desensitisation theory?

Carnagey found that participants who played violent video games showed lower heart rate and skin conductance when later watching real-life violence, suggesting reduced emotional arousal and supporting the idea of desensitisation.

What does Carnagey’s study suggest about aggression?

It suggests that exposure to violent video games may reduce emotional responsiveness to violence, potentially increasing the likelihood of aggressive behaviour in real-world situations.

What limitation does Carnagey’s study have?

It only measures short-term effects, meaning it is unclear whether desensitisation persists over time or whether emotional responses return to normal after a delay.

How does Berkowitz and Alioto support related aggression theories?

Berkowitz and Alioto found that participants who viewed justified violence (revenge) delivered more and longer electric shocks, suggesting that exposure to violence can increase aggressive responses when it is perceived as acceptable.

What does Berkowitz and Alioto’s study suggest about media violence?

It suggests that the effect of violent media depends on context and interpretation, particularly whether aggression is seen as justified or rewarding.

What practical application does desensitisation theory have in the military?

The military may use violent video games as training tools because they may reduce emotional responses to violence, helping soldiers respond more effectively in combat situations.

Why might desensitisation be adaptive?

It may help individuals function in high-stress environments by reducing fear responses, similar to how humans adapt to dangerous environments over time.

What does Belson suggest about long-term effects?

Belson found no significant relationship between long-term exposure to television violence and antisocial behaviour, challenging the idea that media violence directly causes aggression.

What is a key criticism of desensitisation theory?

It is largely correlational and does not clearly establish causation, meaning it is unclear whether violent media causes reduced emotional response or whether naturally less sensitive individuals are drawn to violent media.

Why is desensitisation not universally accepted as harmful?

Some research suggests that reduced emotional response may not lead to aggression and could instead help individuals regulate emotions in stressful situations.

What real-world trend challenges media aggression theories?

Despite increasing realism in video games and films, real-world violence rates in many developed countries have decreased, suggesting no direct causal link.

How can desensitisation be explained as adaptive?

Humans may adapt to repeated environmental stimuli, meaning reduced fear responses to repeated violence could be an evolutionary adaptation rather than a harmful effect.

Why is desensitisation considered reductionist?

It reduces aggression to emotional and physiological responses to media exposure, ignoring personality, social learning, and biological influences.