Media Influences on Aggression

The relationship between media consumption and aggressive behaviour has been one of the most debated topics in psychology for over 60 years. As media has evolved — from television to video games to social media — the question of whether exposure to media violence causes real-world aggression has remained central. This lesson examines the psychological mechanisms proposed to explain media effects, the research evidence for and against a causal link, and a critical evaluation of the field.

Key Definition: Media influences on aggression refers to the ways in which exposure to violent content in television, film, video games, and social media may increase aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in the audience.

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Explanations of Media Effects

Several psychological mechanisms have been proposed to explain how media violence might increase aggression:

1. Observational Learning and Imitation

Drawing on Bandura's social learning theory, this explanation proposes that viewers observe aggressive behaviours performed by media characters (models) and learn these behaviours through observation. If the model is attractive, powerful, or rewarded for their aggression, imitation is more likely.