2023-10-31 13:59:04
THE trigger warnings, these warnings supposed to warn the reader or viewer that a film, a book or an article will discuss a subject that may shock them, were democratized in the 2010s on American campuses. Frequently used on the Internet, even in certain media, they are part of a good intention: not to offend the sensitivity of certain people or not to rekindle their trauma. But are they really effective? Not really according to recent research.
« Warning: this film raises the subject of school bullying », « TW: alcoholism/rape/assault »: you have probably already seen, read or heard these warnings which are generally found at the beginning of a film, a press article, a book or a podcast. It is trigger warnings (aka “TW”), which means literally “warn of danger”from English warn (prevent) and trigger (trigger). They announce that a sensitive subject is going to be discussed, so that those who are bothered by it are not surprised and/or can decide to stay away from it.
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Born on the Internet, popularized on American campuses, but still very much in the minority
Born in 1990 on feminist online discussion forums, the practice initially aimed to warn sensitive people in the event of very crude mention of details of rape or sexual violence. Indeed, in some people, it happens that this type of reading generates unpleasant symptoms of stress, even panicoften linked to post-traumatic stress.
This was then broadened to apply to other topics such as eating disorders, suicidal tendencies or self-harm. But it was especially in the early 2010s that its use became widespread. Particularly on certain American campuses which intended to extend its reach by targeting more generally victims of injustice or oppression (such as racial, sexual or class minorities). Teachers were then sometimes asked to warn students before each lesson or each reading of a work that a content or theme covered would be likely to provoke a strong negative emotional reaction.
For example, students at Columbia University in New York wanted to be informed that Ovid’s classic, The Metamorphoses, described numerous rapes. Despite repeated requests from some students, only a tiny minority of American universities have actually applied these warnings : less than 1% according to a survey dating from 2015. Indeed, many teachers think that this would have negative effects on their freedom to teach as well as on the dynamic in class.
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A practice less widespread in France, but which is gaining ground
In France, the practice is even less widespread, although it is becoming more popular, particularly on the cover page of certain books. It was adopted for example by the children’s editions Scrineo, Akata and De Saxus. Some French media also apply it, such as online media miss or Slate with his podcast Transfer.
In the absence of evidence on the effectiveness of these trigger warningsother productions, such as the series SHAME France broadcast on the web and the small screen by France Télévisions, have decided to confine themselves to the age-specific signage of the CSA.
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The doubts of certain psychologists quickly confirmed by scientific studies
Very quickly following the appearance of this phenomenon, psychologists expressed strong doubts as to the effectiveness of this process, explaining that it might encourage victims to avoid any situation reminding them of their trauma, which would tend, contrary to popular belief, to reinforce post-traumatic stress. Indeed, numerous works have shown that what seems to best treat trauma are small, controlled exposures to stress triggers (as during EMDR therapy) which, little by little, allow the patient to regain a feeling of power and control, particularly over their emotions.
Studies published in recent years are consistent with this. The most recent, published in the journal Clinical Psychological Scienceconcludes that these warnings seem, on the contrary, “ increase anxiety anticipation that a person may feel before viewing sensitive material ”, while not diminishing his desire to consume it. Indeed, according to this compilation of twelve studies carried out on the subject, participants’ distress levels following viewing potentially triggering material were the same, whether or not they have been warned. Worse, these warnings would increase anticipatory anxietythat is to say would add anxiety to that already present in these more sensitive readers (read the box below).
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Ineffectiveness of trigger warnings: the four conclusions of a recent study
Researchers have compiled twelve studies on the subject of trigger warnings and published their results in October in the American Journal of the Association for Psychological Science (a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of scientific psychology). Here are the four conclusions they reached:
- Warnings increase anticipatory anxiety: « In five studies, participants who read content warnings were more anxious before viewing potentially triggering content than those who did not.»
- Warnings did not influence emotional reactions to the content: “Across nine studies, content warnings did not affect participants’ feelings of distress, fear, or anxiety following viewing sensitive content. »
- Warnings do not increase avoidance: « In five studies, participants viewed disturbing content at approximately the same rate, whether or not they received a trigger warning. »
- Warnings do not influence understanding: « In three studies, content warnings did not affect participants’ understanding of written material. »
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As one of the lead authors of the study, psychology researcher at Flinders University (Australia) Victoria Bridgland, summarizes: “ When people see trigger warnings, it makes them anxious, but that anxiety doesn’t seem to be any kind of helpful emotional preparation. »
The researchers also believe that these messages can possibly generate a effect ” forbidden fruit » which might make potentially repulsive content even more tempting. Thus, according to them, we must collectively find other strategies to adopt, such as better training in emotional regulation for victims.
Good that the current scientific consensus seems largely to point towards ineffectiveness of the trigger warningsthis debate has the merit of highlighting the need, for our societies, to deal more effectively with the suffering felt by many victims of violence.
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