Mommy I'm Scared: Frightening or Disturbing Media
| Physiological Effects | Psychological Effects |
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| Increased heart rate | Nightmares / night terrors |
| "Jump" from fright | Specific Anxiety |
| Quickened breathing | Insomnia |
| Stomach flips | Irritability / on edge |
| Screams | |
Stimulus generalization: the more real the violence, the more frightening.
Visual desensitization: gradual exposure to disturbing content.
AGE DIFFERENCE
3-8: The child fears the stimulus itself.
9-12: The child fears what might happen to them, but without context.
13+: The child fears things that threaten psychological harm over physical harm
GENDER DIFFERENCE
Men and boys exhibit less fear.
Women and girls exhibit more fear.