Sequences of justified and unjustified violent scenes, aggressive behavior and affectivity

The aim of this research is to estimate the impact of violent film scenes on university students (30 f, 30 m) in two different sequences, a "justified" violence scene followed by an "unjustified" one, or vice versa, as follows: 1) before-after sequences, using Aggressive behaviour I-R Questionnaire, Self Depression Scale and ASQ-IPAT Anxiety SCALE; 2) after every excerpt, using a self-report to evaluate the intensity and hedonic tone of emotions and the violence justification level. Emotion regulation processes (suppression, reappraisal, self-efficacy) were considered. Rumination and anxiety (total and latent) diminished after both types of sequences. After the sequence in which an "unjustified" violence scene was followed by a "justified" one, the rumination was lower than after the other sequence. Intensity and unpleasantness of negative emotions during "justified" violence scene were lower than the "unjustified" one. Violence level evaluation of the first viewed scene affects the evaluation of the second one in both the sequences (carry-over effect). The justification level of the "justified" violence was higher than the "unjustified" violence one, Reappraisal, self-efficacy in controlling negative emotions, self-efficacy in positive emotion expression and perceived emphatic self-efficacy did not have any effects.

Giorgio Tosini, Carlo Cristini, Bruno Mario Cesana, Sequenze di scene di violenza non giustificata e giustificata, condotte aggressive e affettività in "RICERCHE DI PSICOLOGIA " 1/2009, pp 21-46, DOI: 10.3280/RIP2009-001002