Repeated exposure to media violence is associated with diminished response in an inhibitory frontolimbic network.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Media depictions of violence, although often claimed to induce viewer aggression, have not been shown to affect the cortical networks that regulate behavior.

Methodology/principal findings

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we found that repeated exposure to violent media, but not to other equally arousing media, led to both diminished response in right lateral orbitofrontal cortex (right ltOFC) and a decrease in right ltOFC-amygdala interaction. Reduced function in this network has been previously associated with decreased control over a variety of behaviors, including reactive aggression. Indeed, we found reduced right ltOFC responses to be characteristic of those subjects that reported greater tendencies toward reactive aggression. Furthermore,

SUBMITTER: Kelly CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2092389 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature