Violent Media and the Brain

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071206093014.htm">

This Is Your Brain On Violent Media

ScienceDaily (2007-12-10) -- Scientists show that a brain network responsible for suppressing behaviors like inappropriate or unwarranted aggression became less active after study subjects watched several short clips from popular movies depicting acts of violence. These changes could render people less able to control their own aggressive behavior.

Above is the short blurb from today's Science Daily post about brain changes that apparently take place when one is watching violent media (film clips). Does this really surprise anyone? When the content of our mind is filled with images of violence, it is very much like being in the midst of violence, and our brains (of course!) reflect that. And this is a reflection, or an expression, of what William James told us a long time ago: My reality really IS what I choose to pay attention to. We make choices, all day long, about what to pay attention to... and we can always bring the question to mind: What am I choosing to attend to, right now?