Video Game Violence - Meghan Nguyen by Meghan

Video Game Violence

mvnguyen120 — 2015-10-17 22:45:15 UTC

There is much debate regarding whether or not exposure to violent video games "can increase aggressive behavior and thoughts, while lessening empathy and sensitivity toward aggression" (Sifferlin, Alexandra. "Violent Video Games"). I believe that there is no link between the two, though it is common belief that violent video games have a huge impact on violence in youths. Many say that there is "no single risk factor" (Sifferlin, Alexandra. "Violent Video Games") that leads to this desensitization, but most studies conclude that there is almost no correlation to violence that stems from exposure to violent video games. In fact, "youth violence in the US and around the world was currently 'at a 40-year low" (Kleinman, Zoe. "Do Video Games Make People Violent?"). Many people link violent acts to the playing of violent video games, but other research links it to "personality traits, such as anger, psychosis, and aggression" ("Violent Video Games and Young People"). In terms of short-term effects, violent video games have shown signs of more aggressive reactions, but the long-term effects are less noticeable, if there are any at all. "...it is not at all clear whether, over longer periods, such a habit increases the likelihood that a person will commit a violent crime, like murder, rape, or assault" (Carey, Benedict. "Shooting In The Dark")

Sources & Links

mvnguyen120 — 2015-10-18 00:05:35 UTC

Kleinman, Zoe. "Do Video Games Make People Violent?" BBC News. BBC News, 17 Aug. 2015. Web. 17 Oct. 2015. <http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-33960075>.

Sifferlin, Alexandra. "Violent Video Games Are Linked to Aggression, Study Says." Time. Time, 17 Aug. 2015. Web. 17 Oct. 2015. <http://time.com/4000220/violent-video-games/>.

"Violent Video Games and Young People - Harvard Health." Harvard Health. Harvard Health Publications, 1 Oct. 2010. Web. 17 Oct. 2015.

<http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/violent-video-games-and-young-people>.

"22 Charts & Graphs on Video Games & Youth Violence - Violent Video Games - ProCon.org." ProCon.org Headlines. ProCon.org, 18 Feb. 2010. Web. 17 Oct. 2015. <http://videogames.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=003627>.

Carey, Benedict. "Shooting in the Dark." The New York Times. The New York Times, 11 Feb. 2013. Web. 17 Oct. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/12/science/studying-the-effects-of-playing-violent-video-games.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0>.

Sales of Video Games Compared to Youth Violence, 1996-2005

mvnguyen120 — 2015-10-18 00:30:14 UTC

2007 Video Game Sales by Rating (by Units Sold)

mvnguyen120 — 2015-10-18 00:39:25 UTC

mvnguyen120 — 2015-10-18 01:01:23 UTC

Makuch, Eddie. "Study: 58 Percent of US Adults Blame Games for Violent Behavior." GameSpot. GameSpot, 26 Feb. 2013. Web. 17 Oct. 2015.

<http://www.gamespot.com/articles/study-58-percent-of-us-adults-blame-games-for-violent-behavior/1100-6404471/>.

The video included in the linked article shows that though there has been an increase in video game violence, to say that it translates into the real world is not scientifically sound.

Links Between Video Games and Violence

mvnguyen120 — 2015-10-18 01:06:09 UTC

Though there are studies that say that video games can push someone over the edge into violence, in it "one of many variables." In this interview, Mary Ellen O'Toole says that the people who are pushed by violent video games could have easily been pushed over the edge by another factor, and many times, it is predictive, as these people show signs of violent behavior nd thoughts beforehand.

Video Game Use Among American Teens

mvnguyen120 — 2015-10-18 01:10:39 UTC

Though a large percentage of American teens do play action video games (some of which contain violence), statistics show that teen and youth violence is currenty at a 40 -year low.

Virtual Violence & Free Speech

mvnguyen120 — 2015-10-18 01:14:12 UTC

In an interview with Adam Sessler, Editor in Chief of G4 Games Content, he gives his opinion regarding the correlation between violent video games and violent behavior in children. He says that the common belief of the older generation is that these games do produce violent behavior, but looking at youth violence statistics, this fear is most likely caused by "anxiety that surrounds the interactivity of video games, which is so much different than the passive way of enjoying other forms of entertainment." This is to say that the only reason parents are worried is because of anxiety caused by the witnessing of a change in generation. Youths and teenagers exposed to these video games only see them as a form of entertainment, and not something that would influence their actions in real life.