1. Aim:
To understand the meaning, examples, studies
and application of the desensitisation theory
to the horror genre.
“One of the few good things about modern times: if you die horribly on
television, you will not have died in vain. You will have entertained us.”
Kurt Vonnegut
2. Desensitisation
The theory of a media audiences’ reactions
growing weaker according to the
level/amount of exposure to violence, death
and sex.
A decrease in fear and sensitivity to
extremely aggressive behaviour and taboo
subjects, and possible introduction to every
day life.
3. Media Example – Mad World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7elIuEACmkQ
4. Real Example – The Columbine
High School Massacre
1999 - Two senior students embarked on a massacre,
killing 12 students and 1 teacher. They also injured 21
other students directly, and three people were injured while
attempting to escape. The pair then committed suicide. It
is the fourth-deadliest school massacre in United States
history.
Provoked a debate about gun violence involving youths.
Much discussion also centred on the nature of high school
subcultures and bullying, as well as the role of violent
movies and video games in American society.
The shooting resulted in moral panic aimed at Goth culture,
social outcasts, the gun culture amongst teenagers, violent
films and music, teenage internet use, and violent video
games.
5. How it relates to Horror!
Horror movies a are prime examples of violence in
the media since they usual involve a gruesome death
scene. But as time went on horror films became more
and more violent rather than focusing on atmosphere
and tension but these days we’ve seen so much
violence in horror films that it not longer shocks us.
There have been many horror films that are dedicated
to being as grotesque as possible like: saw. A
nightmare on elm street, Friday the 13th etc, and
because of we’ve some many films like the3se we’ve
just become accustomed to this type of violence in
movies.
Watch the YouTube clip and decided whether of not it is to
violent http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rFrxHEeP0s
6. Is this argument true?
We believe that is argument is both true and false since the over
exposure to violence has made us more a custom to seeing it which is
why we are able to watch violent films and play video games without
flinching.
However there are still cases of fear towards this kind of violence since
our generations is used to this but other may not be which can cause
them to become incredibly scared or in some cases mimicking what’s
being seen and there is larger chance of being exposed to this type of
violence since it is not only widely spread bout also very popular .
7. Relation to other theories
The closest theory that we could relate this
theory to was the hypodermic syringe model.
This theory suggest that when something
said by the media, it is simply accepted by
the general public. This could relate
desensitisation because if the media say
something is violent or expose us to it, we
simply accept this fact and as time goes on
we become more and more accustomed to
seeing or hearing about violence that the
effect being to weaken.
8. Conclusion
This theory suggesting that constant exposure to such accessible
violence on a regular basis within the media, no longer makes
such a strong emotional impact upon the audience, possibly
causing them to also be insensitive towards violence in everyday
life.
Thousands of studies have looked at whether there is a link
between exposure to media violence and violent behaviour. Over
98% say yes. According to the American Academy of Paediatrics,
"Extensive research evidence indicates that media violence can
contribute to aggressive behaviour, desensitization to violence,
nightmares, and fear of being harmed." Children and adults alike
are becoming immune to the horror of violence, gradually accept
violence as a way to solve problems, imitate violence they
observe on TV, and identify with characters (victims or
victimizers) they see on TV.
