What does the term desensitization mean?

What does the term desensitization mean?

1 : to make (a sensitized or hypersensitive individual) insensitive or nonreactive to a sensitizing agent. 2 : to make emotionally insensitive or callous specifically : to extinguish an emotional response (as of fear, anxiety, or guilt) to stimuli that formerly induced it.

What are the symptoms of desensitization?

It is hypothesized that initial exposure to violence in the media may produce a number of aversive responses such as increased heart rate, fear, discomfort, perspiration and disgust.

What is desensitize violence?

In the context of media violence, desensitization more specifically describes a process “by which initial arousal responses to violent stimuli are reduced, thereby changing an individual’s ‘present internal state’” (Carnagey, Anderson, & Bushman, 2007, p. 491).

Can you become desensitized to trauma?

Over time, we can become desensitized to trauma in various ways. We suppress our pain, we block out memories, we deny the trauma ever occurred, and we avoid thinking about it. We keep our traumatic experiences from the people who care about us and who could potentially help us to address them.

What is desensitization example?

For example, seeing a photo of what you fear might be a level 3, but actually touching the thing you fear could be a level 8 or 9. Next, you’ll develop ways to expose yourself to each level of fear. This is usually done with the help of a therapist.

Why is desensitization bad?

While desensitization can be beneficial for your mental health, it can also be detrimental. If you become desensitized to violence or death, you could become less sensitive to others’ suffering, lose the ability to empathize, or start to behave in more aggressive ways.

What are the disadvantages of desensitization?

The disadvantage of systematic desensitization is that it is slow, and that it is often necessary to eventually implement some form of real-life exposure in order to fully reduce the fears.

How do I stop desensitization?

If you’d like to try this approach on your own, the following tips can help:

1. Familiarize yourself with relaxation techniques.
2. List at least two items for each level of fear on your hierarchy.
3. Practice exposing yourself to your fear each day.
4. Remember to stop and use a relaxation exercise when you feel anxious.

What are the dangers of desensitization?

Desensitization to violence can also trigger a range of negative consequences, however, including decreased empathy for violence victims (Mullin & Linz, 1995), increased aggressive thoughts and disinhibition of aggressive behaviors (Bartholow, Sestir et al., 2005; Engelhardt, Bartholow, Kerr, & Bushman, 2011; Krahé et …

How do you stop desensitization?

What is an example of systematic desensitization?

Systematic desensitization begins with imaginary exposure to feared situations. Use your anxiety hierarchy to break down the feared situation into manageable components. For example, let’s say you fear to go into large stores.

Why is desensitization harmful?

What is drug desensitization?

Drug desensitization, also called induction of drug tolerance, is a method of safely administering a medication to a patient who is allergic to it. It should be performed by an allergist / immunologist and in an appropriate setting to treat possible reactions.

Drug desensitization involves the introduction, usually within hours to days, of a temporary state of tolerance to a drug which the patient has developed a hypersensitivity reaction to. Various desensitization protocols allow patients to receive the full dose of the medications to which they have had a prior hypersensitivity reaction.

How does a desensitization program help the brain?

A desensitization program is designed to provide consistent stimulus to the affected area for short periods of time, frequently throughout the day. These small bursts of therapeutic activity shower the brain with sensory input.

How is desensitization an effect of viewing violence?

Desensitization is another well-documented effect of viewing violence. Desensitization is a psychological process by which a response is repeatedly elicited in situations where the action tendency that arises out of the emotion proves to be irrelevant.

How does desensitization work on the phobic response?

Over time, when desensitization works, the phobic response becomes less and less intense. Analogously, exposure to media violence, particularly that which entails intense hostilities or the graphic display of injuries, initially induces an intense emotional reaction in viewers.