University of Kwazulu-Natal

Trigger Warnings Are Necessary We Shouldn T Have To Just Stay

Bonisiwe Shabane
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trigger warnings are necessary we shouldn t have to just stay

Some conservatives are known for using simple-minded but harmful vocabulary in their rhetoric, especially online. They have a schoolyard bully-like tendency to simply cry ‘snowflake’ and mockingly ask “Why are you so triggered?” in response to many of the serious arguments liberals attempt to make on the internet. This enables them to disregard any of the substance of their liberal opponent’s arguments, while simultaneously attacking them as being ‘too weak.’ According to these right-wingers, it is impossible to form a logical argument... I happen to believe this is completely false. In fact, empathy has been shown to be key to conflict diffusion, and thus, online conflicts, particularly political arguments, could stand to benefit from increased civility if both participants were to attempt to be... Additionally, growing research is linking empathy to liberal political views, while failing to do so for right-leaning views, indicating a clear empathy gap among the parties.

Thus, it’s no surprise that these conservative cyberbullies have no problem posing the aggressive question of ‘Why are you so triggered?’ even if it means neglecting the deeply loaded etymological origins of the word. The concept of being ‘triggered’ dates back to some of the first studies of post-traumatic stress disorder after World War I. For people diagnosed with PTSD, the onset of troubling symptoms, such as feeling afraid and even having panic attacks, often occur in response to reminders of the trauma they suffered, or triggers. These triggers can include anything from loud noises to graphic content describing something related to the individual’s trauma. By no means is the concept of being ‘triggered’ one to be taken lightly. And yet many people, especially conservatives, have made a complete mockery of the word, hurtling it around the internet carelessly with no regard to whom they may hurt in the process.

Unsurprisingly, it is these same bigots that scoff at the very idea of trigger warnings or content warnings. The argument they commonly regurgitate is that, specifically in a classroom setting, trigger warnings can stifle the rigor of debates and interfere with students being able to grapple with difficult concepts. On the contrary, though, when executed correctly, they can do just the opposite. I spoke with Tufts psychology professor Dr. Nicole DeTore, who teaches psychopathology at Tufts. DeTore believes that due to the highly polarized nature of the term ‘trigger warning,’ it may be more effective to give such a warning without using the label at all.

Her personal approach is to alternatively say something like “We’re going to be talking about heavy subjects.” This effectively communicates the message without using nearly as polarizing language. As a result, she believes her students should hopefully feel less afraid to speak their minds during a class discussion but also step out if need be. Additionally, educators should be giving trigger warnings as far in advance as possible, preferably at least a day before the class, so that students can have the time they need to consider whether they... This also helps prevent the highly stigmatized act of walking out of a class during a discussion. If this is not possible, though, it is ideal to at least give the warning before a break and allow students to come back late or not at all to avoid the potentially distressing... Cambridge Nonprofits Struggle to Fill Gap Left By SNAP Delay

At Harvard Talk, Princeton President Says Colleges Should Set Clear Time, Manner, Place Rules for Protests In Tug-of-War Over Harvard Salient’s Future, Board of Directors Lawyers Up Cambridge Elects 2 Challengers with 7 Incumbents to City Council ‘We Need More Setti Warrens’: IOP Director and Newton Mayor Remembered for Rare Drive to Serve Posted September 20, 2023 | Reviewed by Ray Parker In an era defined by the breakneck speed of flowing information across media platforms, the debate around trigger warnings has become increasingly prominent.

Trigger warnings, or brief content advisories that alert individuals to potentially distressing or triggering material, have ignited discussions across academia, social media, and daily life. Proponents argue that they provide a vital safety net for individuals with trauma histories, while critics contend they may hinder personal growth and foster an overly sensitive culture. The origins of trigger warnings can be traced back to the feminist movement of the 1970s when activists recognized the need to prepare survivors of sexual assault for potentially distressing content in literature and... Over time, this concept evolved, expanding its application to various forms of media and content. Today, trigger warnings are used across multiple platforms, from college classrooms and news articles to social media posts and streaming services. Not everything is positive news.

Some psychologists have painted a not-so-rosy picture of these ubiquitous alerts. Research looking into the effectiveness and implications of trigger warnings found several intriguing results in a recently published meta-analysis. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9258" src="https://www.mahevashmuses.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Why-We-Need-Trigger-Warnings-More-Now-Than-Ever.jpg" alt="Why We Need Trigger Warnings More Now Than Ever" width="750" height="577" srcset="https://www.mahevashmuses.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Why-We-Need-Trigger-Warnings-More-Now-Than-Ever.jpg 750w, https://www.mahevashmuses.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Why-We-Need-Trigger-Warnings-More-Now-Than-Ever-300x231.jpg 300w, https://www.mahevashmuses.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Why-We-Need-Trigger-Warnings-More-Now-Than-Ever-610x469.jpg 610w, https://www.mahevashmuses.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Why-We-Need-Trigger-Warnings-More-Now-Than-Ever-600x462.jpg 600w, https://www.mahevashmuses.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Why-We-Need-Trigger-Warnings-More-Now-Than-Ever-100x77.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /> In recent years, the concept of trigger warnings has sparked intense debates across various social and academic landscapes. While some argue that these warnings coddle individuals and stifle free speech, others emphasize their importance in creating safer, more inclusive environments. As our understanding of trauma and mental health deepens, it becomes increasingly clear that trigger warnings are not just beneficial—they are essential.

This blog post delves into why we need trigger warnings more now than ever, examining the rise in mental health awareness, the prevalence of trauma, and the evolving nature of our information consumption. Trigger warnings are notifications that alert individuals to potentially distressing content, allowing them to prepare themselves emotionally or choose to avoid it altogether. These warnings can apply to a wide range of content, including graphic descriptions of violence, discussions of sexual assault, or depictions of mental health crises. The goal is to prevent the re-traumatization of individuals who have experienced similar events in their own lives. In recent years, there has been a significant shift in the recognition and understanding of trauma. Studies have shown that trauma is far more common than previously thought, with many individuals experiencing traumatic events at some point in their lives.

According to the National Council for Behavioral Health, 70% of adults in the United States have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives. This growing awareness underscores the necessity of creating environments that are sensitive to the needs of trauma survivors. Trauma can have profound and lasting effects on an individual’s mental health. Conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are often linked to traumatic experiences. Trigger warnings play a crucial role in helping individuals manage their mental health by providing them with the information they need to navigate potentially triggering content safely. By doing so, trigger warnings can help mitigate the risk of re-traumatization and promote emotional well-being.

A correction has been made to clarify the studies that were referenced in this article on October 14, 2021 at 2:45pm. In this day and age, trigger warnings have become more and more prevalent in our daily lives. For those unaware, they are essentially warnings put before potentially upsetting or “triggering” material. They are used everywhere, from social media posts to college lectures, and are generally seen by the progressive-minded, as courteous or necessary precautions. However, some studies have shown that they could be unhelpful, or even detrimental. When asked in a poll if they consider trigger warnings necessary in an academic environment, TL students responded with 12 affirmative responses, 4 negative ones, and 3 in-between.

The “yes” responses seemed to be divided into 2 categories. One group supported trigger warnings for a moral reason, taking it as a given that sheltering people from being reminded of their trauma was a good thing. Another group specified that they supported them mostly to prevent disruptions, with one student saying they would prevent “altercations.” Trigger warnings for content are what forecasts are for rain; they prepare us to weather distressing experiences. In a higher education context, these warnings allow students to choose if and how to engage with the course content, such as by employing emotional management skills, refraining from a discussion or leaving the... However, the balance of benefits versus risks of using trigger warnings in classrooms has become a point of contention.

Classrooms should be judgement-free zones, yet when implementing trigger warnings, the instructor subjectively defines what they consider to be triggering, but we don’t know all of our students’ idiosyncrasies so can’t always know which... If a student’s trigger is not prefaced with a warning, they may feel that the classroom isn’t inclusive or safe. Conversely, if an instructor tacks warnings on to all content that has the slightest potential to harm, it trivialises trauma and dilutes the authenticity of these warnings. Perhaps trigger warnings might be helpful for all students, with or without histories of significant trauma, in the way that providing sufficient colour contrast on course materials increases readability for all students, whether they... Akin to this, we accept when television shows and news outlets warn us that “viewer discretion is advised” whether we personally need the warning or not. Rates of mental illness among students have been rising.

Trigger warnings can reduce stigma and increase accessibility to course content by forewarning students to set up strategies to safely engage with content. Kate Manne in The New York Times writes that not providing trigger warnings is “akin to occasionally throwing a spider at an arachnophobe”. This resistance may be tied to the medical hierarchy where physical illnesses and trauma are still seen as more legitimate than mental illness and trauma. Brian is a mental health counsellor who brings with him decades of lived experience and academic study to the profession of counselling. He has lived with a brain injury for over 30 years and has developed various strategies to live a full life. His focus is on men's mental health and employment mental health.

These days, it feels like trigger warnings are everywhere. Before TV shows, in news articles, on social media posts, or at the start of a university lecture, you’ve probably seen one. They usually come with a short message. “Warning: This material contains references to violence, trauma, or abuse.” The idea behind them is simple, give people a heads-up about potentially upsetting content so they can prepare themselves or choose not to engage. Supporters say this is especially important for survivors of trauma, while critics argue that warnings might do more harm than good by making people anxious or encouraging avoidance.

So which side is right? A recent study helps clarify things. Psychologists Bridgland, Jones, and Bellet pulled together all the best research on trigger warnings in a meta-analysis (a study of studies). This gave them a bird’s-eye view of what we know about how warnings affect people. [1] Trigger warnings may backfire by making people more anxious before viewing sensitive content without reducing emotional distress or avoidance behavior.

Many people believe that trigger warnings help protect individuals from emotional distress by giving them a chance to avoid or mentally prepare for upsetting content. But new research suggests that these warnings might not work the way we expect. A recent analysis published in Clinical Psychological Science reveals that trigger warnings can actually increase anxiety before someone even sees the content. Despite that added worry, people are just as likely to view the material and feel just as distressed afterward, whether they received a warning or not. “When people see trigger warnings, it makes them feel anxious, but that anxiety doesn’t seem to be any sort of helpful emotional preparation,” explained Victoria M. E.

Bridgland of Flinders University, who coauthored the study with researchers from Harvard University. “We need more strategies to give people, versus just putting a warning on something and assuming that is going to give them a toolkit for mental health.” Bridgland, along with Payton J. Jones and Benjamin W. Bellet from Harvard University, reached their conclusions by comparing the results of 12 studies about the effects of content warnings on participants’ negative emotional reactions, avoidance behavior, and comprehension. The majority of these studies included a mix of participants who were trauma survivors and people who did not report a history of traumatic experiences.

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