Effects of Video Games on Children's Behavior

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An analysis about the effects of video games on children behavior Effect of Video Games on Children’s Behavior Introduction Social scientists have been examining the effect that video games have on behavior. From the introduction of video games in the 1980s, there have been numerous research studies to this effect (Andersen & Taylor, 2008). The issue has become even more significant in the modern context because these video games have become bloodier and more realistic than ever before. Even though boys play these games more than girls in America, the consumption of video games has generally been high. Carey (2013) indicates that 32% of these gamers are below the age of 18. Therefore, it would be crucial to evaluate the effects that these video games have on the behavior of such children. Background Socialization is a critical aspect of people learning to fit within a given society. Even more, internalization, involving taking social values, norms and roles into own mind, plays a significant role in shaping behavior, especially in children. According to Andersen and Taylor (2008), the imitation stage of children involves children merely copying the behavior around them. Children would just mimic what exists in the environment without an understanding of social meaning of any given behavior. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, AACAP (2011) indicates a significant increase in video games noted to constitute a multi-billion dollar industry. They come in all forms of technologies including through the Internet. In the same way, they also have varied content with others being educational while others involve criminal behavior and killing of people and animals among others. The major concern has been on th... ... middle of paper ... ... punishment in violent video games on aggressive affect, cognition, and behavior. Psychological Science, 16 (11), 882 – 889. Elise, A. (2013, November 22). Video games have no effect on children’s behavior, new study finds. International Business Times. Retrieved 26 March 2014 from http://www.ibtimes.com/video-games-have-no-effect-childrens-behavior-new-study-finds-1482630 Ihori, N., Sakamoto, A., Shibuya, A. & Yukawa, S. (2007). Effect of video games on children’s aggressive behavior and pro-social behavior: A panel study with elementary school students. Retrieved 26 March 2014 from http://www.digra.org/wp-content/uploads/digital-library/07312.31554.pdF Saleem, M., Anderson, C. A. & Gentile, G. A. (2012). Effects of prosocial, neutral, and violent video games on children’s helpful and hurtful behaviors. Aggressive Behavior, 38, 281 – 287. doi: 10.1002/ab.21428

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