Topic C - Do TV and Video games affect young people's behaviour?

Syllabus outline

 * 1) Biological causes of aggression
 * 2) Social Learning Theory (social theory)
 * 3) Comparing Biological and Social Theories of Aggression
 * 4) Nature-nurture debate in relation to understanding aggression
 * 5) Ramirez et al (2001)
 * 6) Anderson and Dill (2000)
 * 7) Charlton et al (2000)
 * 8) Williams (1981)
 * 9) Content Analysis (methodology)
 * 10) Ethical issues
 * 11) Role of an educational psychologist
 * 12) Censorship

Key Terminology
Amygdala: A brain structure thought to be involved in aggression

Limbic system: An area of the brain involved in emotion

Hormones: Chemicals produced by the human body that send signals to organs around the body via the bloodstream

Observational Learning: The process of learning from watching others

Modelling: Observing, identifying with and copying the behaviour of a role model

Identification: A feeling of similarity with a role model that leads to the imitation of their behaviour - we believe that we can be like them

Vicarious Reinforcement: Learning through the positive consequences of other people's actions rather than firsthand - we are more likely to copy if they are rewarded

Nature: What we are born with

Nurture: What we learn from the way we are raised

Content Analysis: A research method used to measure the number of times something comes up in a book, newspaper article, television programme, etc.

Tally: A single mark on a chart to show that a behaviour/category has been found during a content analysis