Forewarning of Graphic Portrayal of Violence and the Experience of Suspenseful Drama

Abstract

The present study was designed to assess the effects of forewarning of explicit violence on the experience of suspense. Male and female undergraduate students were read one of two consent forms, which either alerted them to the violent and potentially offensive content of the film they were about to see or that assured them that the graphically violent material had been cut from the film. Participants then watched one of two suspenseful film clips. Results show that respondents who were told that the film clip contained graphic violence experienced significantly more distress than respondents who were told that graphic violent content had been cut. Gender differences also emerged, with females responding more strongly to the film clips than did the males. The mediating role of empathic sensitivity in the experience of suspense was considered in interpreting the observed gender differences.