Aggression is the display of hostile or violent behaviour towards another being. For many decades researchers have debated on whether aggression is due to environmental (nurture) terms or biological (nature) terms. This essay will attempt to demonstrate the main similarities and differences between the positions of Huesmann (1988) and Engelhardt, Bartholow, Kerr, & Bushman (2011). When considering Huesmann (1988) and Engelhardt et al., (2011) obvious differences arise over research methodologies, beliefs and mediating variables. Where similarities between the two do exist, they are in the theorization that observation of violence is the key to development of aggression. Although the two researchers bring forth valid arguments for the cause
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Engelhardt et al., (2011) advocated the desensitization theory. Desensitization theory stated that repeated observation of violence in media reduces the original impact until depictions of violence no longer trigger physiological responses such as fear, perspiration, discomfort. Desensitization to violence in media has then been associated with rises in aggressive behaviour. Prolonged observation of violent media may lower an individual 's aggressive reservation and reduce their empathetic response to the distress of others. Ultimately increasing the probability of aggressive reactions. Further support for this assertion can be found in Huesmann (1988) research of the relationship between a child’s observation of others behaving aggressively and the child behaving aggressively. A violent scene allows a child to acquire new aggressive scripts and also acts as a cue for the application of existing aggressive scripts. Huesmann (1988) additionally explained that children who behaved aggressively are exposed more to media violence, identified greater with violent characters and assumed that the violence they observe emulated …show more content…
This draws upon the issue of replicability.The experiment findings have not been duplicated by independent researchers therefore weakening ( ) assertion. The second weakness in the experimental design was that they failed to account for confounding variables.The results of the experiment showed that whether individuals played violent or nonviolent video games, the P3 amplitude of those with high previous exposure were unaffected.
In the case study conducted by Huesmann (1988), he studied 632 children from the age of 8 years old to the age of 30. One of the strengths of his case study is that it is high in external validity; we are able to apply the findings that relate environmental influences and aggressive behaviour to real-world settings. Secondly, Huesmann (1988) drew upon several theories formulated by aggression researchers. In turn, this provided more evidence to better support his information processing
Engelhardt et al., (2011) advocated the desensitization theory. Desensitization theory stated that repeated observation of violence in media reduces the original impact until depictions of violence no longer trigger physiological responses such as fear, perspiration, discomfort. Desensitization to violence in media has then been associated with rises in aggressive behaviour. Prolonged observation of violent media may lower an individual 's aggressive reservation and reduce their empathetic response to the distress of others. Ultimately increasing the probability of aggressive reactions. Further support for this assertion can be found in Huesmann (1988) research of the relationship between a child’s observation of others behaving aggressively and the child behaving aggressively. A violent scene allows a child to acquire new aggressive scripts and also acts as a cue for the application of existing aggressive scripts. Huesmann (1988) additionally explained that children who behaved aggressively are exposed more to media violence, identified greater with violent characters and assumed that the violence they observe emulated …show more content…
This draws upon the issue of replicability.The experiment findings have not been duplicated by independent researchers therefore weakening ( ) assertion. The second weakness in the experimental design was that they failed to account for confounding variables.The results of the experiment showed that whether individuals played violent or nonviolent video games, the P3 amplitude of those with high previous exposure were unaffected.
In the case study conducted by Huesmann (1988), he studied 632 children from the age of 8 years old to the age of 30. One of the strengths of his case study is that it is high in external validity; we are able to apply the findings that relate environmental influences and aggressive behaviour to real-world settings. Secondly, Huesmann (1988) drew upon several theories formulated by aggression researchers. In turn, this provided more evidence to better support his information processing