Television and other media can have positive effects, however most of the attention is focused on the negative effects (2011, p.251). Generally, media content influences the way we behave, the way we think and the way we react emotionally (2011, p.258). Researchers have shown that there are some commonalities in the ways we react to various mediated content (2011, p.258). We take behavioral cues from the media and apply them to our own lives that can influence our behavior negatively or positively (2011, p.258). Some behavioral affects have been documented such as imitation, identification and desensitization noted Medoff and Kaye (2011, p.258-259). However, individuals are affected differently in certain situations.
Medoff and Kaye note …show more content…
The more acts of violence or the more sexual behaviors we see on television, the less effects they have on us (2011, p.259). The topic of desensitization remains difficult to process from my perspective. For example, in my former career I was exposed to many situations. Some stemmed from violence such as physical altercation, others from accidents such as broken limbs from recreating, or illnesses as in seizures. The more experience or exposure I had to these incidents, the less effect it did have on me. In a sense, it did appear as regular or normal for the environment and so the natural response was reduced then diminished altogether. Medoff and Kaye note, that when were desensitized to mediated violence were less likely in real life to help someone in trouble , call the police, or fell aroused or upset when we witness violence (2011, p.259) This is where I find desensitization difficult to process. While media violence and real violence are different, the process of desensitization appears similar, the more exposure the less effect. However, in my experience even after being exposed a number of times to real life threating situations, the reaction or effect became quite different once it was a family member who needed assistance. Therefore, I have a mixed understanding or view of
Medoff and Kaye note …show more content…
The more acts of violence or the more sexual behaviors we see on television, the less effects they have on us (2011, p.259). The topic of desensitization remains difficult to process from my perspective. For example, in my former career I was exposed to many situations. Some stemmed from violence such as physical altercation, others from accidents such as broken limbs from recreating, or illnesses as in seizures. The more experience or exposure I had to these incidents, the less effect it did have on me. In a sense, it did appear as regular or normal for the environment and so the natural response was reduced then diminished altogether. Medoff and Kaye note, that when were desensitized to mediated violence were less likely in real life to help someone in trouble , call the police, or fell aroused or upset when we witness violence (2011, p.259) This is where I find desensitization difficult to process. While media violence and real violence are different, the process of desensitization appears similar, the more exposure the less effect. However, in my experience even after being exposed a number of times to real life threating situations, the reaction or effect became quite different once it was a family member who needed assistance. Therefore, I have a mixed understanding or view of