Chapter 10 - Aggression Part 2: April 6, 2006

Gerbner’s Research Differences between heavy and light TV viewers “Mean World Syndrome” –What is it? “Happy violence” –What is it?

Media Research Accelerating violence –murders shown in remakes Lessons about who is powerful/violent Same effects for watching violent TV/movies and video games –Desensitization to violence?

Media and Aggression: Porn Increased rates of sexual assault coincide with increased sexual suggestiveness in media. Rape myths research –what does it show? Research on porn and desensitization to brutality

Media and Aggression: Porn Does violent porn provoke aggression? Donnerstein’s research – –1) differences in male-to-male aggression versus male-to-female aggression –2) How rape is depicted is crucial in influencing viewer’s later aggression What were the results?

Reducing Aggression: Catharsis Catharsis hypothesis – does it work to find another outlet to release our aggression? If so, should be negative relation between doing x and being aggressive Field research – what does it show for each relationship? –porn and rape –watching sports and aggression –murder rates following war

Reducing Aggression: Social Learning We’ve seen evidence that aggression is learned, so can we unlearn it too? Research with kids – what works to reduce aggression?

Reducing Aggression: Punishment For punishment to work, must be: –Promptly after the aggression –Relatively strong so it is noticeable –Consistently applied –…but potential for retaliation –…and what does social learning theory imply?

Incompatible Responses Baron – induce a response incompatible w/anger Study w/confederate stopping at red light, waits for 15 sec after green light What % of cars behind the confed will honk? –What were the different conditions? –What were the results?