TEL T 205 1st Edition Lecture 15 Influence and Effects of Media Violence 1 Media violence can have an effect on the micro level a Perception of the act hostile attribution violence i We believe people are more hostile than they are ii Media violence provides information on hostile intent can lead to provocation might lead to violent reaction iii Other effects can also increase hostile attribution violence sports family school b Generation of choice of responses i Social lean learn that violence is the choice to use against a provocation ii Weak because we don t need a script to tell us to be violence not something that we need to learn 1 Violence is innate and in our human nature c Evaluation of Choice i Disinhibition Break down barriers we are building to prevent us from engaging in violence ii Media violence assists in telling us violence is good 2 fMRI studies effects of violence video game play a had some play violent video game and others play non violent game b all participated in the same stroop test to see what parts of the brain is engaged i Non violent players parts of brain responsible for inhibiting primitive impulses lit up ii Violent game players this part of the brain that inhibits primitive impulses is not as lit up In some cases not activated at all meaning there is no regulation of this impulse c Deterioration of inhibition of violence has lasting effects i This happens over time the more you are exposed to violence the more the inhibition impulses deteriorate 3 Importance of Context a The type of violence matters if glamorized sanitized trivialized then it will wave a more negative effect These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute i Nature of the perpetrator is the one committing the violence the hero or the villain if the hero is committing the violence then it will have a more negative effect ii Justification of violence 1 if justified then the negative effects are increased 2 If unjustified then no impact iii Rewards and punishments iv Degree if realism 1 OF THE CONSEQUENCES 2 Show consequences in a realistic way 3 We get violence that is sanitized a This is bad if teaching disinhibition effect 4 For Games Perception of the act a Stronger in game than watch on television b Or no effect at all b Perception of act determines the impact i Ex Pac man is horrific eat ghosts ii Ex Space invaders blowing up aliens 1 These had no impact on behavior because the graphics were no good iii Today s game possible to process as a series of tasks rather than intent to harm need to perceive act as violence in order for it to have an impact 4 Solutions a Who s responsibility is it i Parents 1 Assumptions have control over what children are watching effects are limited to kids a Both not the case 2 What s been done Rating system which doesn t give parents the information they need 3 What s needed better information that is accurate and consistent ii Industry 1 Assumptions driven by some social motivation a Not the case industry based on economic associations and violence sells 2 What s been done Nothing really 3 What s needed economic rational to change the way violence is presented iii FCC Government 1 Assumptions violence in our society is a social issue and they have jurisdiction and ability to do something without infringing on rights a Not the case 2 What s been done attempts have been made 3 What s needed tax on violence 5 What s the ultimate goal a Tweak the kinds of media violence people consume to reduce the likelihood of people to act with aggression