E. Koukounas et Mp. Mccabe, Emotional responses to filmed violence and the eye blink startle response - A preliminary investigation, J INTERP V, 16(5), 2001, pp. 476-488
The study assessed gender differences in e,notional responses to violent fi
lm. Both subjective emotional response and eye blink startle magnitude were
assessed while 20 men and 20 women viewed a series of five violent film se
gments and five nature scenes. Participants exhibited higher levels of curi
osity, anxiety, disgust, and anger; and lower levels of positive emotion an
d boredom in response to the violent film segments in comparison with the n
ature material. Startle response was magnified during the violent film segm
ents, indicating an aversive response. Evidence that men and women responde
d to the violence differently was demonstrated by men' experiencing greater
positive feelings, entertainment, and curiosity in relation to the violent
film, whereas women reported more disgust, boredom, anger; and experienced
greater startle in relation to the violent scenes portrayed in the film. F
uture directions for investigating filmed violence are outlined.