Saccadic and Electrodermal Responses to Television Violence

Abstract

The concern for TV violence has not been followed by any way to discriminate one type of violent show from another. To ascertain which stimulus elements of TV violence elicit emotional responses we attempted to correlate the electrodermal response with the general saccadic responses. The simultaneous electrodermal and saccadic responses of children watching violent TV shows were analysed. The saccadic movements were derived from the corneal reflection, computer enhanced, and superimposed on the violent video. Allowing for the individualised response latency, the analog recording of the electrodermal response (as well as an audiometric response) was also superimposed. We found that most electrodermal responses (41%) actually occurred to nonviolent but frightening stimuli (eg villain's face; grave). Few responses (8%) occurred to actual violent stimuli (eg stabbing). Auditory stimuli (eg gun shot) elicited intense electrodermal responses, the correlation being positively associated with the audiometric level. Statistical evaluation by Anova confirmed the significance of the above findings at p<0.01. We conclude that (1) actual violence may provoke less electrodermal responses than implied violence; and (2) sound potentiates the electrodermal response to elements of violence. We hope that this computer superimposition technique will make it easier to discriminate one violent show from another.