The Relationship Between Selective Exposure and the Enjoyment of Television Violence

Abstract

The existing research on the appeal of media violence has led to an apparent incongruity: violent content tends to increase selective exposure to media, but violence often decreases enjoyment. In this experiment, we used two independent manipulations to assess the role of violence in both selective exposure and enjoyment in order to examine the relationship between the two. Program descriptions for four prime-time television dramas were altered to create violent and nonviolent descriptions for each episode. Then the episodes themselves were edited to create violent and nonviolent versions of each. Participants (N = 191) were more likely to choose violent descriptions to watch, but enjoyed the nonviolent episodes more than the violent episodes. Moreover, the nonviolent episodes were rated as more enjoyable even when the participants had chosen to watch a violent program description. From a theoretical perspective, these results suggest the need to move beyond explaining the appeal of violence in terms of increased enjoyment and instead further explore other motivations that could be driving selective exposure to violent content.

Theorizing inconsistent media selection in the digital environment

“…A meta-analysis by Weaver (2011) based on 65 studies about the effects of violence on selective exposure and enjoyment confirmed that violent content increases exposure but decreases enjoyment in viewers. These findings were also confirmed experimentally (Weaver and Kobach 2012). In another experimental study, Stanca, Gui, and Gallucci (2013) found that when verbal violence is present in talk-shows, subjects watch more of a given program while reporting a significantly lower satisfaction level for the overall viewing experience.…”

Factors underlying male and female use of violent video games

“…In addition, another factor not accounted for in the present model has been suggested in a recent experimental study by Kobach and Weaver (2012). They found that pictures that were assumingly showing fictional violence triggered less negative affect in male participants (but not female participants) than the same pictures assumingly showing real violence.…”

“…Baumeister et al (2007) argue that anticipatory emotions profoundly influence behaviour: ‘People learn to anticipate emotional outcomes and behave so as to pursue the emotions they prefer’ (p. 168). Accordingly, those who enjoy certain media content are more likely to use it than those who do not enjoy it (Zillmann, 1988; but also see Weaver and Kobach, 2012). Individuals that anticipate enjoyment when engaging in virtual violence should be more likely to approach violent video games, and individuals that anticipate regret, shame, guilt or disgust, more likely to avoid them.…”

Cognitive warfare

“…Fictional devices, whether interactive or not, present the potential to forge cognitive representations alternative to the real world and the enaction of corresponding behaviours. [89,200] As it was observed in Orwell's War of the Worlds 1938 radio narration [158], in absence of alternative points of reference, fictional devices may succeed in presenting a credible version of reality, a simulation that might exclude or change the usual rationalisation processes.…”