This theory states that the longer we are exposed to violence, horror or any other shocking material, we eventually become less sensitive to it and any real life equivalents.
Strengths: This theory draws its information directly from the increasing volume of violence and representations of sex in the media, and regulation committees such as the British Board of Film Classifications (BBFC) and how they let more shocking material through in comparison to earlier times. It raises the questions of the amounts of representations we should be witness to, and asks how far the effects can go.
Weaknesses: The counter argument for this theory is that there is no way that this theory can be effectively proven, especially when considering how difficult it is to seperate the effects of the media from the effects of the home living conditions (Bulger murder case).
Notable example(s): The most notable example of this, again, is the Bulger murder case, where the children lived at home watching horror movies, but also had abusive parents and poor living conditions. Another example is the last house on the left, as it was rejected when completed due to portrayals of rape, but allowed only a few years ago, this displays a higher cultural acceptability for the film, and that due to the regulations reflecting society, implies that we have indeed been desensitised.
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