Question

"Watching violence on television gives people a harmless opportunity to vent their aggression," according to Alfred Hitchcock. According to Carol Travis, "this statement has never been confirmed scientifically." These statements refer to the _______ hypothesis.

a) Catharsis
b) Frustration-aggression
c) Sensitization
d) Social learning

Answer 1

The statements by Alfred Hitchcock and Carol Travis relate to the catharsis hypothesis concerning media violence and aggression, a topic with mixed scientific findings.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statements by Alfred Hitchcock and Carol Travis refer to the catharsis hypothesis, which suggests that watching violence on television can provide a safe outlet for people to release their pent-up aggression. However, Carol Travis points out that this has not been scientifically confirmed. Instead, exposure to media violence may teach aggressive behavior or desensitize individuals to violence.

Significant research, including studies by Anderson and Gentile (2008) and a meta-analysis by Savage (2003), reveal mixed findings on whether violent media increases real-world aggression. Some research, such as the work of Ferguson (2011), accounts for complicating factors like mental health and family life while assessing the impact of media violence on aggression.