9.2 Short-term and Long-term Effects of Media Violence
2 min read•august 7, 2024
Media violence can have both immediate and lasting effects on our thoughts and actions. Research shows it can increase aggressive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, while also desensitizing us to real-world violence.
Long-term exposure to violent media may shape our worldview, making us more fearful and anxious. Studies tracking people over time help researchers understand these complex effects and their potential societal impact.
Cognitive and Emotional Effects
Aggressive Thoughts and Emotions
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- Exposure to media violence increases aggressive thoughts and emotions
- Activates aggressive cognitions, such as hostile thoughts and feelings
- Primes aggressive scripts and schemas, making them more readily accessible in memory
- Desensitizes individuals to emotional reactions to violence ()
- Reduces empathy and concern for victims of violence
- Diminishes negative emotional responses to violence (shock, fear, disgust)
Cognitive Biases and Distortions
- Develops , a tendency to interpret ambiguous situations as threatening
- Perceives neutral or benign actions as hostile or aggressive
- Increases likelihood of responding aggressively in social interactions
- Shapes , mental representations of how to behave aggressively
- Provides examples and models of aggressive behavior
- Reinforces the idea that aggression is an appropriate response to conflict or provocation
Behavioral Effects
Increased Aggression and Violence
- Exposure to media violence increases the likelihood of aggressive behavior
- Includes physical aggression (hitting, pushing), verbal aggression (insults, threats), and relational aggression (social exclusion, rumor spreading)
- Encourages of aggressive and violent acts observed in media
- Children may mimic aggressive behaviors seen in television, movies, or video games
- Adults may be more likely to engage in domestic violence, assault, or other violent crimes
Heightened Fear and Anxiety
- Media violence can induce fear responses and anxiety, particularly in children
- Develops and heightened perception of threat in the environment
- Increases anxiety and stress levels, leading to sleep disturbances and other psychological issues
- Cultivates a , a belief that the world is a dangerous and threatening place
- Overestimates the prevalence of violence and crime in society
- Leads to mistrust, suspicion, and avoidance of social interactions
Research Methods
Longitudinal Studies
- track the same individuals over an extended period (months, years, or decades)
- Allows researchers to examine the long-term effects of media violence exposure
- Controls for individual differences and pre-existing aggression levels
- Assesses the cumulative impact of media violence on aggression and violence
- Measures changes in aggressive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors over time
- Identifies the direction of causality between media violence exposure and aggression
- Examples of longitudinal studies on media violence effects:
- The Columbia County Longitudinal Study (Huesmann et al., 2003)
- The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (Robertson et al., 2013)
Key Terms to Review (17)
Aggression scripts: Aggression scripts are cognitive frameworks that individuals develop based on exposure to violent media, guiding their thoughts and behaviors related to aggression. These scripts dictate how people perceive situations and respond to perceived threats, often leading to the normalization of aggressive behavior. Over time, these scripts can influence both immediate reactions to conflict and long-term attitudes towards violence in social interactions.
Aggressive video games: Aggressive video games are interactive digital games that involve violence, conflict, or hostile actions, often encouraging players to engage in aggressive behaviors or compete in combat scenarios. These games can impact players' emotions and behaviors, leading to discussions about their short-term and long-term effects on aggression and violence in real life.
Albert Bandura: Albert Bandura is a renowned psychologist known for developing the Social Cognitive Theory, which emphasizes the importance of observational learning, imitation, and modeling in behavior development. His research highlights how individuals learn from their environment and the influence of social interactions on personal development. Bandura’s work has implications in understanding media effects, particularly in how media portrayals can shape behavior and attitudes.
Cultivation Theory: Cultivation theory suggests that long-term exposure to media content can shape an individual's perceptions of reality, leading them to adopt views that reflect the repetitive messages presented in media, particularly television. This theory highlights how consistent portrayals in media can influence people's beliefs and attitudes over time, reinforcing societal norms and stereotypes.
Desensitization: Desensitization refers to the process by which an individual becomes less responsive to emotional or physical stimuli after repeated exposure, especially in the context of media consumption. This phenomenon can lead to diminished emotional reactions to violence and aggressive behaviors depicted in various media forms, impacting how viewers perceive and respond to real-life situations involving aggression or conflict.
Emotional desensitization: Emotional desensitization is the process by which individuals become less responsive to emotional stimuli, particularly due to repeated exposure to violent media. This reduced sensitivity can lead to diminished emotional reactions to real-life violence and suffering, affecting empathy and social behavior. As people consume more violent content, they may become numb to aggression and brutality, which connects deeply to the theories of media violence effects and its short-term and long-term consequences.
Fear of Victimization: Fear of victimization refers to the apprehension individuals feel about the possibility of becoming a victim of crime or violence. This fear is often shaped by media portrayals of violence, which can amplify perceptions of risk and influence behavior, leading people to take preventive measures to avoid potential threats.
Hostile attribution bias: Hostile attribution bias is the tendency to interpret ambiguous social cues as hostile or aggressive, often leading individuals to perceive others' actions as intentionally harmful. This bias can significantly influence behavior and social interactions, making individuals more likely to respond aggressively in situations where the intent of others is unclear. It plays a critical role in understanding both immediate reactions to media violence and the long-term impact of exposure to violent content, such as video games.
Imitation: Imitation refers to the act of copying or replicating the behaviors, actions, or characteristics of others. In the context of media violence, it highlights how individuals, especially children, may mimic aggressive or violent behaviors they observe in various media forms, such as television shows, movies, and video games. This phenomenon raises concerns about the potential short-term and long-term effects that such media portrayals can have on behavior and social norms.
Increased Aggression: Increased aggression refers to the heightened likelihood of aggressive behavior or thoughts resulting from exposure to certain stimuli, particularly violent media content. This phenomenon suggests that when individuals are exposed to media violence, they may experience a temporary boost in aggressive feelings and actions, which can be explained by psychological theories that connect emotional arousal and aggression. As a result, this can lead to both immediate and lasting impacts on an individual's behavior and attitudes towards aggression in real life.
Inevitability of aggression: The inevitability of aggression refers to the idea that exposure to violent media can lead to aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in individuals. This concept suggests that when people, particularly children, consume violent content regularly, they may become desensitized to violence, leading to an increased likelihood of engaging in aggressive acts themselves. The term highlights the potential for media violence to shape behavior over both short-term and long-term periods.
Leonard Berkowitz: Leonard Berkowitz is a prominent psychologist known for his work on the effects of media violence and aggression. His research has significantly contributed to understanding how exposure to violent media can influence aggressive behavior in both the short term and the long term. Berkowitz proposed that media violence can prime aggressive thoughts and feelings, making individuals more likely to react violently in real-life situations, thus connecting media consumption with behavioral outcomes.
Longitudinal studies: Longitudinal studies are research methods that involve repeated observations of the same variables over a period of time, allowing researchers to track changes and developments within subjects. This approach is essential for understanding patterns and trends, especially when studying the long-term effects of media, such as how exposure influences behavior or beliefs over time. By following participants across various stages, longitudinal studies can reveal insights into how media impacts individuals and societies in both short-term and lasting ways.
Mean World Syndrome: Mean World Syndrome refers to the phenomenon where individuals perceive the world as a more dangerous and violent place than it actually is, often as a result of prolonged exposure to violent media content. This perception can lead to increased fear, anxiety, and mistrust among people, skewing their understanding of societal norms and safety. This concept highlights the significant impact that consistent media portrayals of violence can have on our beliefs and behaviors.
Social Learning Theory: Social learning theory is a psychological perspective that emphasizes the role of observation and imitation in learning behaviors, suggesting that people can learn new behaviors by watching others and modeling their actions. This theory highlights the importance of social context and interaction in shaping individual behavior, particularly in relation to media consumption and its effects.
Third-person effect: The third-person effect is a social psychological phenomenon where individuals believe that media messages have a greater effect on others than on themselves. This often leads to the assumption that others are more influenced by media content, especially concerning issues like violence or persuasion, prompting people to advocate for regulation or censorship based on this perception.
Violent television shows: Violent television shows are programs that depict aggressive behavior, physical harm, or extreme violence as part of their content. These shows often include dramatic representations of crime, warfare, or interpersonal conflict, which can influence viewers' perceptions and behaviors regarding aggression and violence in society.