1
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Jada Nunn-Mclean
School of Communication & the Arts, Liberty University
Author Note
Jada Nunn-Mclean, M.A.
I have no known conflicts or interests to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jada Nunn-Mclean, M.A.
Email: jnunnmclean@liberty.edu
Introduction
This week as I examined Cultivation theory with a more critical lens, I noticed the
different perspectives that are connected to this theory. Cultivation theory is viewed as a
2
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
communication and sociological framework that posits that long-term exposure to media
influences how consumers of media discern the world and conduct themselves in life. (Gerbner,
Gross, Morgan, Signorielli, & Shanahan, 2002)
George Gerbner developed the cultivation theory to understand the effects that
television specifically has had on human behavior. Gerbner sought to understand the
consequences of growing up and living in a cultural environment dominated by
mediated mass communication, not just the immediate effects or change but
understanding to the longterm effects of specific messages that dominated that era's
communication research.
(Gerbner, Gross, Morgan, & Signorielli, 1980)
"Gerbner emphasized television because it nearly monopolized cultural participation and
public debate; radio, newspapers, films, and other mass media of the mid-20th century" (before
the rise of the Internet) (Morgan, et, al, 2015) As Gerbner (1969) indicated, one's perspective
and worldview can be impacted by what is consumed on television. As a result, it is easy to
notice the various facets of Cultivation Theory that could be used to demonstrate its
relationship to other relevant concepts.
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory
and the components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development
will uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the
effects of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various
things. Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most
3
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
important one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we
tell (and are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies,
not all of which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by
Gerbner and his colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some
dependent variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
4
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
5
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
6
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
7
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
8
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
9
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
10
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
11
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
12
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
13
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
14
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
15
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
16
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
17
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
18
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
19
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
20
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
21
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
22
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
23
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
24
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
25
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
26
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
27
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
28
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
29
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
30
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
31
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
32
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
33
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
34
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
35
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
36
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
37
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
38
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
39
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
40
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
41
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
42
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
43
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
44
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
45
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
46
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
47
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
48
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
49
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
50
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
51
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
52
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
53
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
54
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
55
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
56
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
57
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
58
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
59
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
60
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
61
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
62
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
63
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
64
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
65
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
66
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
67
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
68
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
69
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
70
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
71
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
72
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
73
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
74
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
75
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
76
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
77
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
78
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
79
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
80
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
81
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
82
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
83
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
84
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
85
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
86
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
87
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
88
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
89
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
90
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
91
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
92
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
93
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
94
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
95
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
96
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
97
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
98
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
99
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
100
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
101
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
102
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
103
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
104
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
105
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
106
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
107
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
108
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
109
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
110
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
111
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
112
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
113
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
114
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
115
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
116
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
117
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
118
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
119
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
120
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
121
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
122
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
123
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
124
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
125
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
126
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
127
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
128
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
129
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
130
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
131
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
132
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
133
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
134
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
135
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
136
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
137
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
138
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
139
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
140
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
141
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
In this discussion, I will identify two other fields directly impacted by cultivation theory and the
components that contribute to that field of research. Firstly, psychological development will
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uncover behaviors and attitudes created through Cultivation. Secondly, I will examine the effects
of media desensitization and the effects of extreme amounts of exposure to various things.
Cultivation has "survived" thus far for any number of reasons, but probably the most important
one is related to its simplicity or parsimony: At its heart, it argues that the stories we tell (and
are told) have something to do with the way we think about the world. Many studies, not all of
which subscribe to the original methods and theoretical frameworks laid out by Gerbner and his
colleagues, look at relationships between exposure to some content and some dependent
variable and call that "cultivation."
(Morgan, et, al, 2015)
Psychological Development
With new streaming platforms like HULU, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime,
the influence of media as we knew it has only grown from simple entertainment during
set hours to what it is today, continuous and never-ending. (Vlassis, 2021) Not only has
the things we see on the television screen or phone screens changed, but television and
new media have also gone from being accessible with some limitations to being
consumed virtually non-stop. "This is a serious concern because this excessive screen
time has altered how we process things and our perspectives on life." (Pandya & Lodha,
2021) "The excessive amount of time we dedicate to the media and screen-based
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Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
devices versus our limited non-technology-based recreation is liable to alter us on a
psychological spectrum." (Domingues-Montanari, 2017)
The Census Bureau estimated that the average person watched more than 1,630 hours
of TV in 2000. If a person spends an average of 16 hours awake each day, this translates
into the average person watching the equivalent of over 102 days of TV. (Barrett, et, al,
2014) Although people have different reactions to the things that they see, there is
cause for concern. Previous research indicates that increased screen time can be linked
to "poor mental health and worse behavioral problems" in adolescents (Parent, Sanders,
&
Forehand, 2017)
"Internalizing problems during adolescence have been linked with impaired
development of autonomy, identity, morality, and social responsibility." (Paulich, Ross, Lessem,
& Hewitt, 2021)
The concept of Cultivation can be applied to outside fields and theories of development
because the role of media is pervasive within our society. Further review of Cultivation Theory
reveals additional elements of a psychological perspective, with an emphasis on differences
among individuals and a focus on how those individuals acquire information from television.
"For example, theorists recognize that people are not interchangeable members of a
homogeneous society but are instead individuals who are affected in differential ways." (Potter,
1991, p. 78). "The messages disseminated across media impact audiences differently because
that one message can be deciphered in hundreds of different ways. This is true because no
single person has had the same experiences in life." Gerbner (1969) presents the idea that one's
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Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
past, social circle, religious upbringing, personal bias, things you've been exposed to, cultural
values, etc., can often influence behavioral instincts and reactions to things.
The elements of Cultivation do not originate with television or appear out of a void.
Layers of demographic, social, personal, and cultural contexts also determine the shape,
scope, and degree of the contribution television is likely to make. Yet the meanings of
those contexts and factors are in themselves aspects of the cultivation process (Gerbner
et al., 1986, p. 23).
Media Desensitization
Video games, news outlets, social media, and online blog posts are just a few
known media outlets that have challenged the limitations of what is able to be seen on
their platforms. For example, a very known violent video game called "Grand Theft Auto"
was released in 1997, and it completely changed the exposure of violence that young
children were privy to at such young ages.
Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive
thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviors, and decreases
helpful behaviors. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video
game effects on physiological desensitization, defined as showing less physiological
arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the
virtual world. (Carnagey, et, al, 2007)
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Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Grand Theft Auto is a video game that allows players to go on missions requiring
them to participate in gang violence, burglaries, carjackings, and even drug trafficking.
Seeing things like this at such high exposure rates can trick the mind into thinking that
things like that are expected. Psychologist Craig A. Anderson and others concluded that
"the evidence strongly suggests that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk
factor for increased aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, and aggressive affect and
for decreased empathy and prosocial behavior." (Anderson, 2010) In correlation to the
Cultivation theory, we can compare the components that make up the Media
desensitization theory.
Constant repetitions of violence in the media make people jaded toward violence.
The reaction becomes less prominent because media viewers are used to seeing
explosions, blood, and guts regularly. Desensitization is usually measured by both
psychological and attitudinal reactions Both emotional and cognitive desensitization
make people numbed, less reactive, and less sensitive. The viewers are not aware of
that they are being influenced by the content they are watching. (Iqbal, 2017)
Today, we are living and dying in the era of media. There is a constant bombardment
of news, social media, and influence on all kinds of audiences within society. The
Cultivation theory intertwined with media desensitization allows researchers to better
target and discover the changes in viewers' attitudes and study their reactions to
potential violent, traumatizing, or cruel events.
146
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
Conclusion
While conducting this week's research, I developed a deeper understanding of
the many ways that Cultivation theory is connected to other fields, theories, and
academic paradigms.
With the diversity of media choices available today and with news concerning violent
crime reaching people in almost real-time, current media environments relative to
understanding cultivation theory and its mechanisms should be more fully explored, and
new perspectives added to the extant body of research. (Shin, 2022)
147
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
I am able to apply other influences in outside fields to my research, and it will help me
further support my topic and the standpoint that I choose to support.
148
Who Else Says So? Cultivation Theory Analysis
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