MEDIA VIOLENCE AND DESENSITIZATION (CONTINUED FROM WEEK 9) Desensitization is a well-documented...

Question

MEDIA VIOLENCE AND DESENSITIZATION (CONTINUED FROM WEEK 9)

Desensitization is a well-documented consequence of years-long exposure to media violence. From early exposure, children—especially boys—learn that aggression pays off (Bushman, Gollwitzer, & Cruz, 2015). Aggression—especially if it means you “win” the game, “defeat” the adversary, or “force” a resolution to a conflict—earns the aggressor attention, praise, respect, reverence, adoration, money, and power. These are the rewards that often accompany aggression portrayed by the film industry (e.g.,Die Hard,Die Hard 2,Die Hard With a Vengeance,Live Free or Die Hard,A Good Day to Die Hard), making it more likely that the aggressive behavior will persist. The number of films in this series is evidence of their popularity. From classical conditioning theory, we learn that bad behavior paired with rewards can make the bad behavior desirable; moreover, the prevalence of violence in the media, over time, normalizes it. Studies show that when exposed to violent films daily over a week’s time, participants rate films as less violent with each film viewed (Dexter, Penrod, Linz, & Saunders, 2006). This is evidence of desensitization.

Desensitized people tend not to acknowledge the effects of media violence, because they don't see that there's a problem. However, a growing body of research finds that desensitized individuals downplay or tend not to acknowledge egregious harm done to others; because a steady diet of violent medianormalizesviolent behavior, injury suffered by people in real life does not seem like cause for concern (Vossen, Piotrowski, & Valkenburg, 2016). That's the nature of desensitization, and that is indeed a problem.

Convinced there is no harm in violent media consumption—that their behavioral tendencies will not have been influenced by it—desensitized consumers probably would not be interested in changing their media viewing habits (Funk, Baldacci, Pasold, & Baumgardner, 2004).

For this Assignment, you will examine the concept of desensitization, methods used to increase the desirability of violence, and ways for parents to reduce aggression exhibited by their children.

References:

Bushman, B. J., Gollwitzer, M., & Cruz, C. (2015). There is broad consensus: Media researchers agree that violent media increases aggression in children, and pediatricians and parents agree.Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 4(3), 200—214.

Dexter, H. R., Penrod, S., Linz, D., & Saunders, D. (2006). Attributing responsibility to female victims after exposure to sexually violent films.Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 27(24),2149–2171.

Funk, J. B., Baldacci, H. B., Pasold, T., & Baumgardner, J. (2004). Violence exposure in real-life, video games, television, movies, and the internet: Is there desensitization?Journal of Adolescence, 27(1), 23–39.

Vossen, H. G. M., Piotrowski, J. T., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2016). The Longitudinal relationship between media violence and empathy: Was it sympathy all along?Media Psychology, 20(2), 175–193.

TO PREPARE

Search the Walden Library and/or the Internet for the definition of desensitization, its symptoms, and the process that creates it.

From your search and from the Learning Resources for this week, consider the ways that violence is presented and whether or not its presentation is appealing to children.

Also, from your search, consider how social psychology theory is applied to reduce aggression.

ASSIGNMENT:

Submit3–5 pages, not including title page and reference page:

Define desensitization and describes its process.

Identify and describe symptoms of desensitization.

Explain the methods used in the media to increase the desirability of violence. (i.e., what isrewardingthe violence).

Suggest ways for parents to reduce aggression exhibited by their children.

In addition to the Learning Resources, search the Walden Library and/or Internet for peer-reviewed articles to support your Assignment. Use proper APA format and citations, including those in the Learning Resources.

Ayan · Accepted Answer

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT		1
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
Table of contents
Introduction	3
Desensitization	3
Symptoms of Desensitization	4
Methods to Increase Desirability of Violence	5
Ways for Parents to Reduce Aggression	5
Conclusion	6
References	8
Introduction
	The phenomena of desensitisation to media violence are well-established, and it mostly affects youngsters who are exposed to violent content over prolonged periods of time. The purpose of this assignment is to explain desensitisation, describe its process, list symptoms, talk about how the media uses violence to make it seem desirable, and offer advice to parents on how to reduce their children's hostility.
Desensitization
	A psychological phenomena known as desensitization is defined as the progressive attenuation or numbing of emotional reactivity to a certain stimuli, sometimes brought on by extended and frequent exposure. Desensitization, as it relates to media violence, is the gradual waning of emotional responses and sensitivity to violent content (Vultaggio et al., 2020). This procedure is especially important for kids who discover early on that being aggressive may result in benefits and favorable consequences.
	The desensitization process is compatible with the idea of classical conditioning, which holds that violent conduct can become more desired if it is repeatedly paired with rewards like money, power, attention, respect, devotion, and praise. The media's normalizing of violence leads to a lowered awareness of its gravity and repercussions. Research by Bushman, Gollwitzer, and Cruz, among others, has demonstrated that people who watch violent movies repeatedly tend to perceive later films as less violent, offering concrete proof of desensitization.
	Desensitized people frequently show little regard for the harm they inflict on others in real life because they have been accustomed to violent media, which normalizes aggressive conduct. One of the main symptoms of desensitization is a lack of empathy and awareness of the possible harm, which causes people to minimize the detrimental impacts of media violence and prevents them from acknowledging any issues related to it.
Symptoms of Desensitization
	A reduced emotional reaction and a change in attitudes toward aggressive material are two signs of desensitization to media violence. Reduced sensitivity to violence is a major symptom in which people respond to violent stimuli with muted emotional emotions such dread, contempt,

MEDIA VIOLENCE AND DESENSITIZATION (CONTINUED FROM WEEK 9)Desensitization is a well-documented consequence of years-long exposure to media violence. From early exposure, children—especially...