Final answer:
Zeb seeking out increasingly violent and graphic video games as he gets bored with current ones is an example of escalation, which is the need for more intense stimuli to maintain interest.
Step-by-step explanation:
Zeb's experience of getting bored with less stimulating video games and seeking out new ones with more violence and graphic images is an example of escalation. Escalation in this context refers to seeking increased stimulation to maintain interest once accustomed to a certain level of excitement. This concept is observed when exploring the influence of media on behavior and interests. While cultivation theory might explain how long-term exposure to media shapes one's perspectives, and catharsis refers to the release of emotions through activities like gaming, Zeb's behavior is closer to the concept of escalation by continuously seeking more intense experiences.
In social studies and media studies, the relationships between video game violence, aggressive behavior, and desensitization to violence are debated topics. Citing researchers like Anderson and Bushman, there is evidence that suggests a link between playing violent video games and increases in aggressive thoughts and behaviors, but it is crucial to understand this within the broader conversation that includes other studies with varying conclusions.