Violence in Video Games
comparative Essay
1088 words
The negative impact of video games on youth has been a hotly debated topic since before Pac-man ate his first Pac-dot. Recently though, due to horrific school shootings and record sales of violent video games such as the Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty series, video games as a whole have been put under a microscope. The question now is: Are violent video games really such a significant factor when it comes to youth violence? The current research and information points to no. Although some research reveals that violent video games may cause temporary aggression, there has been no evidence that it causes violent crimes such as assault or murder. Christopher Ferguson, an associate professor at Stetson University and researcher into the effect media has on young children wrote an article titles“ Video Games: The Latest Scapegoat for Violence”. In his article, he states:
My meta-analysis concluded that there was no evidence to support either a causal or correlation relationship between video games and aggressive behavior. My impression is that social science made up its mind that video games cause aggression before many data were available, and has subsequently attempted to fit square pieces of evidence into round theoretical holes. (qtd. in Tamiu.edu)
Brad J. Bushmann and Craig A. Anderson are highly recognizable psychology professors that agree that violent video games has a significant negative impact on youth including teens to become more violent. They have both published numerous articles on the effects media has on its audience and testified in front of many hearings including Congressional hearings . In 2002, the collaborated and published a report titled Violent Video Games and Hostile Expectations: A tes...
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...t Video Games and Hostile Expectations: A Test of the General Aggression Model.” Personality and Social Psychology bulletin (2002): Print.
Ferguson, Christopher and Cheryl K. Olson. “Video games do not make vulnerable teens more violent.” Springer (26 August 2013): Web. 23 October 2013
Ferguson, Christopher “Video Games: The Latest Scapegoat for Violence” Tamiu (2009): Web. 10 October 2013
“How Much Do You Know About Video Games?” Entertainment Software Rating Board. 2013. Web. 23 October 2013
“The Final Report and Findings of The Safe School Initiative: Implications for the prevention of school attacks in The United States.” United States. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. May 2002:Web. 23 October 2013
Youth Violence National and State Statistics at a Glance. United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (19 June 2009). Web. 25 October 2013
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the negative impact of video games on youth has been a hotly debated topic since before pac-man ate his first pac-dot.
- Concludes that there was no evidence to support either acausal or correlation relationship between video games and aggressive behavior.
- Explains that the esrb reports that in 2010, the video games industry generated 10.5 billions dollars in sales. call of duty: black ops and red dead redemption sold millions of units.
- Explains that the united states secret service and the u.s. department of education launched a collaborated report called the safe school initiative to investigate past school violence that ended with at least one death.
- Explains that a recently published study conducted by christopher ferguson showed how violent video games affect children with mental disorders.
- Compares the ethnic makeup of students in an urban and suburban school.
- Explains ferguson's study may have debunked this long held claim that children with mental disorders are particularly vulnerable to the effects of media, particularly violent video games.
- Concludes that the association between violent video games and aggression related outcomes in children, even those with elevated mental health symptoms, may be minimal.
- Opines that as the nintendo generation matures, video games will become normalized and part of this generation’s culture in the same way television, movies, and radio have. the esrb has established a simple but effective rating system.
- Cites brad j. and craig a. anderson's article, "video games and hostileexpectations: a testof the general aggression model."
- Summarizes the final report and findings of the safe school initiative: implications for the prevention of school attacks in the united states.
Related
- analytical
- opinion
- explanatory
- Violence in Videogamesanalytical essayDespite the accusations from the media, video game violence does not lead to aggressive behavior in the teens of today. The youth with pre-existing conditions show no increase in aggression as well as the healthy teens in the results from Journal of Youth and Adolescence (Springer). The Journal of Youth and Adolescence disproves what the media believes the games actually cause. There are specifically 33 independent tests that researched the effects of aggression and the relation of violence in video games. The group tested 3,033 volunteers for increased aggression, but the tests came back with a significantly positive effect of these violent games (Weller 5). With the effect of causing it's players to have their aggression lowered and calming them greatly, it is a big blow to the media's point of view of these games. Sadly, there are a few teens who commit mass murders and violent video games seem like an easy target to blame as to the motivation behind their actions. Those teens are not healthy, they have a psychological problem that messes with their head and makes them think differently about the world and where they belong (Twemlow 41).
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the journal of youth and adolescence disproves what the media believes the games actually cause.
- Explains how ferguson and olson studied 377 american children who had clinically elevated attention deficit or depressive symptoms. selecting different ethnic groups and ages broadens the types of outcomes the testing receives.
- Explains that violent video games are a positive affect on teens. expert action gamers played first-person shooting games, whereas non-experienced players played "the sims 2.
- Opines that there is no evidence that playing a violent video game leads to aggressive behavior.
- Argues that violent video games are not the cause of violence and aggression among teens. the media will not stop wrongly accusing the violent games.
952 wordsRead More - Video Game Violenceopinion essayWhile surfing Facebook, I came across a post blaming video games entirely for the Columbine Shooting. This sparked a whole debate on whether or not this was true. This sparked some interest in me so I began looking into it. While digging deeper into this topic I came across three different topics to focus on. First, separating fact from fiction pertaining to video game violence. Second, comparing all types of entertainment to see which has the biggest impact on youth violence. Finally, what parents can do to make sure their children doesn’t go down this path. With this topic, hopeful I can shed some light on what exactly is the cause of child aggression, and how to prevent it in the future. Video game violence may influence violent behavior, but is not the main reason for violence in youth.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that while surfing facebook, they came across a post blaming video games entirely for the columbine shooting.
- Analyzes the myth that violent video games are available to young children, which leads to more violence.
- Opines that video games are the main cause of violence in our youth today, and that a responsible parent should monitor their child's behavior.
- Advises parents to check their children's game ratings before playing games. if their child is 8 he should not be playing grand theft auto v.
- Opines that video games are fun and exciting ways to express yourself, but long-term exposure to violence can corrupt any young mind. separating real from virtual is the main factor in video game aggression.
- Cites the work citedboyd, k., n.p.. web. 23 nov 2013.
554 wordsRead More - Playing with Violence: The Use of Violent Video Gamesexplanatory essayEver wonder why children and teens seem to be more aggressive and violent? Violence has gone up because of violent video games. The games children play these days are rated higher than what their age group are suppose to play. “In this study, children who played video games often with older siblings were twice as likely as other children to play mature-rated games (Considered suitable for ages 17 and older)” (Violent). Children are acting violent due to the games they play.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that violent video games cause violence and there are ways to stop it.
- Opines that violent video games and young people are the subject of harvard health publications.
- Explains that violence has gone up because of violent video games, which are rated higher than what their age group are supposed to play.
- Explains that kids who play violent video games are more likely to get into physical fights because of the game that they play.
- Explains anderson, craig a., schaffer, amanda, and n. pag. "violent video games promote teen aggression and violence."
847 wordsRead More - Video Games and Violenceanalytical essayParents and other adults have begun to become more concerned about violent video games due to the increased reality in the games. However, society may not realize how children and teens are affected by these games. In modern times, children and young adults are affected by violent games in a negative way by causing changes in their behavior. The average American child watches 28 hours of television a week and by the age of eighteen will have seen 16,000 murders and 200,000 violent acts (Gallagher). People who defend violent games like to point out that playing the games does not mean all players will go out and commit acts of violence, and that millions of people who play do not demonstrate violent behavior(Hicks). Although that is true, the games that are the most popular happen to show the most violence.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that society may not realize how children and teens are affected by violent video games. the average american child watches 28 hours of television a week and by the age of 18 will have seen 16,000 murders and 200,000 violent acts.
- Analyzes how assassin's creed 4: black flag, deadpool, grand theft auto v, ryse: son of rome, saints row iv, and the last of us were among the most popular games in the united states.
- Explains that video games are harmless and don't lead to aggression, and that dr. daphne bavelier and her team try to make games that help medical needs.
- Explains that violent games can and do cause hostile urges and mildly aggressive behavior as a short term effect. hostile expectations are not the only reason players become more aggressive.
- Explains that the correlations between video games and violence may be explained by violent children and teens being attracted to violent games.
- Explains that playing video games can reduce the stress-related hormone cortisol, which can help people change their perception about social threats and boost their self-confidence.
- Explains that violent video games reduce cardiac coherence which could be the cause for aggression due to the stress. high levels of stress can lead to more problems at home and bullying in school.
- Explains that in a 2010 survey of about 40,000 teenagers, the josephson institute asked teens about their experiences with bullying.
- Explains that bullying has become a standard behavior that about half of all children have grown to expect and engage in. violent games cause players to associate pleasure and happiness with the ability to cause pain in others.
- Analyzes how evan ramsey, adam lanza, jared lee loughner, and anders breivik were all violent video game players.
- Explains that violent games are used in military training to help soldiers become used to the process of harming others. however, exposure to violence does not show whether or not players will commit a crime.
- Explains that violent crime, mostly among the young, has decreased dramatically since the early 1990s while video games increased in popularity and use. children and teens can express aggression without causing physical or mental harm towards others.
- Explains that people become addicted to playing video games because they want to beat their high score or even their friend's high. they can use the game as a way to escape their own life and reality.
- Explains that players aren't aware of the physical consequences video games can bring if excessively used. children and teens can lose their social skills because there is no real interaction between the players.
- Explains that addicted video game players have preoccupation and downplaying use, lack of control in things or lose track of time, mixed emotions or feel uncomfortable sharing their feelings. an addiction can be avoided if video games are used right
- Argues that playing video games should be compared to smoking cigarettes, since one cigarette will not cause lung cancer, but smoking over months or years increases the risk. children who have violent thoughts or behaviors are most likely to be negatively affected by the exposure.
- Opines that children and teens should only be allowed to play violent games for about 1-2 hours and no more than three days a week. limiting their exposure to violence can help reduce the amount of aggression while still allowing them to enjoy the games.
- Concludes that violent video games can cause stress and aggression, which are negative behavior changes.
- Describes the six horrifyingly violent video games to keep your kids away from.
- Opines that violent video games could reduce rather than increase violence.
- Explains that mass killers often share obsession with violentvideo games. korte, travis, and nauert, rick, blame violent video games for promoting violence.
- Opines that video games lower stress hormones and make people aggressive.
1996 wordsRead More - Violence in Video Gamesanalytical essayVideo game violence has been a controversial subject for many years. Even the most simple, classic video games have had this topic pop up, dating back to the 1980’s, games like Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong. But more especially in modern video games, such as the Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto series. Many investigations attempt to analyze the idea that video games are making people more prone to violence, and even point to violence related events, some of said research information may be faulty. Within these investigations there will be evidence and proof for both parties and analyzing if they may or may not be valid, and considering the people behind the statistics and their claims.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that video game violence has been a controversial subject for many years, especially in classic video games like space invaders, pac-man, and donkey kong.
- Explains that most people in modern countries are aware of the claims of violence on video games, placing blame on them for violent acts done by the youth of today.
- Explains that non-users simply do not understand the subject at hand, while older citizens find entertainment in video games and use it to their advantage to expand their knowledge and memory.
- Explains marc prensky's explanation of video and computer games' explicit learning of how to do something, and argues that video games cause people to become dumb and poor grades in school.
- Explains that video games generate a huge amount of revenue, but violence is still contained in those products. corporations may want to have violence as an appealing selling point. other marketing strategies use curiosity to lure buyers.
- Argues that video games are an easy target that the harmless ones are often marked as violent. pac-man is a prime example of this.
- Analyzes how stanton took issue with a harvard researcher who testified about how the esrb (the organization in charge of rating video games) did not accurately rate the games.
- Analyzes how video games are easy to theorize and make quick judgements of things that are hard for them to understand. video games have probable cause to believe they had a major influence on people to murder or attack someone.
- Analyzes a scene from call of duty: modern warfare 2 where five men walk into an airport checkpoint and open fire. this scene alone has sparked controversy in multiple shootings, one being the sandy hook shooting.
- Opines that mental disorders should be regulated and taken into account for ratings of video games and for violent thought provoking products.
- Explains that children with mental disorders and video games may not be the best combination. autistic characteristics include stereotypy, compulsive behavior, sameness, ritualistic behavior and restricted behavior.
- Explains that asperger's syndrome is a milder version of autism and children with the disorder may not even seem like they have anything wrong with them. many of the shootings and other disasters were linked to the suspect’s mental stability.
- Explains that video games have also acted as havens for organized crime and terrorism. the nsa has recently started to monitor other less popular forms of communication as well.
- Explains that violence from video games is especially noticeable in children, who mimic the things they see on all sorts of media and try to do it without even noticing that they are.
- Opines that video game violence is a subject debated by the many variables that it has.
- Analyzes how violent video games contribute to youth violence. caroline krur, "the 10 most violent video games (and 10 alternatives)" reviews & age ratings. mike masnick.
1793 wordsRead More - Effect of Video Game Violence on Children and Teensanalytical essayViolent video games can lead to aggressive and violent behavior in children and adolescents. “Violent media increase aggression by teaching observers how to aggress, by priming aggressive cognition (including previously learned aggressive scripts and aggressive perceptual schemata), by increasing arousal, or by creating an aggressive state” (Anderson and Bushman 355). As more children are becoming exposed violence in video games in the recent years, violence in schools and other locations where children are prominent has increased. “A national crime victimization survey compiled and maintained by the United States Department of Justice, shows that overall crime rates in United States society have fallen. Simultaneously, school- based studies reveal that many violent behaviors have increased among children and adolescents” (“Causes of School Violence” 1). Exposure to violence in video games can lead to aggressive behavior, desensitization, and an increase in crimes committed by children and teens in our society.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that violent video games can lead to aggressive behavior, desensitization, and an increase in crimes committed by children and teens in our society.
- Explains that today's youth is heavily influenced by the media. video games, television, and movies make up a large part of the lives of children in america.
- Explains that many parents overlook the ratings, and allow their children to play games intended for mature audiences. a survey of teens conducted in 2000 reveled that their parents never limited time spent playing video games.
- Explains that video games provide an interactive, accessible way for children to commit virtual crimes and experience violence. they can also be extremely addictive leading to prolonged negative exposure.
- Analyzes gallup poll's 2003 survey to determine the habits of adolescent video game players. the grand theft auto series was also brought under fire.
- Explains that children and adolescents are exposed to violent games more than any other type. video games provide them with visual stimulants that could influence their attitude about a subject, the way they behave, and their moral compass.
- Explains that children are naturally sensitive and caring, but become desensitized when repeatedly exposed to violence. violent video games reprogram a child's innocent conscience to become violent and aggressive.
- Explains that violent video games are an interactive simulator showing young people how to commit acts of violence.
- Analyzes how video games such as grand theft auto and saint's row encourage children and teens to perform acts of hostility by glorifying crime and rewarding players with in-game currency.
- Analyzes how the growing popularity of video games in america is causing a wider group of america's youth to become exposed to extreme violence.
- Cites anderson, craig a., and brad j. bushman, "effects of violent video games on aggressivebehavior, aggression, psychological arousal and prosocial behavior: a meta- analytic review of the scientific literature."
- Cites the washington post, reuters, crf-usa constitutional rightsfoundation, jenkins, henry, and nccev.
1699 wordsRead More - Parental Responsibility in the Regulation of Violent Video Gamesanalytical essayOne of the fastest growing sectors in the United States economy, with sales over six billion dollars in 2012 is the video gaming industry ("Games: Improving the Economy’). Technical innovation has given the video industry power to create exciting realistic worlds, turning video games into the vast entertainment business that it is today. Setting sales records, Violent Video Games (VVG) are now a common staple in many households. One of the most argued topics in media studies, investigation on the impact violence has on society from mass media continues to rage on. Parents look to the media for reliable studies to confirm or distinguish the effects VVG has on children. Even more menacing than violence on television or in movie theaters, VVG have created enticing graphic worlds created to slaughter fellow players. Modern video games allow players to take an active role within the game. Enticing players to engage in realistic assault scenes that are meant to be entertaining. Worthy playing is then rewarded with: trophies, bonus points and extra lives.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the video gaming industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the united states economy, with sales over six billion dollars in 2012.
- Argues that distorted images of violence desensitize adolescents to emotions surrounding aggressive images. the video industry uses the entertainment software rating board to assist the public in making informed decisions on the purchase of video games.
- Analyzes dr. mcgraw's article about the harmful effects of violent mass media images on youth, and argues that parental involvement in the media is imperative for the successful development of future healthy and well-adjusted adults.
- Analyzes dr. christopher ferguson's article "video games don't make kids violent" and explains that children are capable of distinguishing between fantasy and reality.
- Analyzes how dr. ferguson debates a number of valid and important points regarding the effects of violent video games in today's society.
- Opines that mass media has become an influential part of socialization for impressionable youths in modern society. parents are the first line of defense against children's exposure to aggressive forms of entertainment.
- Analyzes dr. phillip mcgraw's article "children and violent video games," which emphasizes that vvg implants morals in children that are not conducive to productive society.
- Explains the esa entertainment software association's "esrb ratings guide." ferguson, christopher. "video games don't make kids violent." time ideas.
1258 wordsRead More - Violence in Video Gamesanalytical essayAs technology advances, new and creative forms of entertainment immerge from these advancements. One form that has grown immensely in popularity over the past dozen years has been video games. Taking form nearly four decades ago, video games have been one of the major embodiments of the growth of entertainment technology. Today, video games have taken many shapes, from the general PC and console games to special applications that can be found on social networks and even millions of cell phones around the world.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that media has been attacked for their content, including television, movies, and music. pac-man and super mario bros. were considered violent when they first appeared.
- Explains that bulletstorm is a first-person shooter that inspires players to kill enemies in creative and unheard-of combinations that haven’t been seen in previous games.
- Explains that aggressive behavior is not the only negative effect that is feared for being instilled in the players. van schie and wiegman tested for many different results, including social integration, popularity, loneliness and social status.
- Analyzes peng, wei's paper, "is playing games all bad?positive effects of computer and video games in learning."
- Explains that video games have grown immensely in popularity over the past decade, from general pc and console games to special applications that can be found on social networks and even millions of cell phones.
- Explains that society believes that games will increase violent and aggressive behavior. however, the correlation between video games and aggression is less significant than that between aggression and television.
- Explains that video games negatively impact a child's academic performance, citing van schie and wiegman’s study.
- Analyzes ferguson's meta-analytic review of positive and negative effects of violent video games.
- Analyzes the effects of video games on aggressive thoughts and behaviors during development.
- Explains sherry, john l., wiegman, emil g. m. van schie, and oene.
2670 wordsRead More - The allegation that videogames cause violent behavior in children has been present as long as videogames themselves. Some researchers said that the Sandy Hook shooter, Adam Lanza, was one intense gamer. “Seung-Hui Cho, the Virginia Tech Shooter was seen by his roomates as odd because he never joined them in video games.”(Beresin) This debate will continue to go on in this country as long as there are horrific crimes that occur. There is much written in the research regarding this issue, and many differing views. The research that is presented in the next few paragraphs supports the theory that it is not the graphic video games that produce aggressive behavior, but other factors in a child’s life that create violent actions.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that videogames intensify aggression in children, while others say it can be a safe getaway for children to express their aggression. a child's behavior can't be determined by violent video games.
- Opines that videogames cause violent behavior in children as long as they are played. the sandy hook shooter, adam lanza, was an intense gamer.
- Argues that there is not enough evidence that points to video games alone as the cause of delinquent activity.
- Explains that television and media may be an outside force that contributes to the delinquent behavior in children. dr. allison park's et al found television, but not electronic video games, showed a small increase in conduct problems.
- Explains that violent behavior comes from a lack of good parenting and other factors. in the supreme court case brown versus entertainment merchants association, parents were encouraged to look, play, limit, and control their children's activities during their play time.
- Explains that a three-year study in singapore found that children who played violent video games generally believed hitting someone was acceptable and had more aggressive tendencies than those who did not play the games.
- Opines that there is more research to be done regarding the topic of bad behavior related to video games.
- Opines that the sale of video games is a billion dollar industry, with millions of people playing them, especially young children. the positive effects are rarely mentioned, but when they are, they include an increase in cognitive ability, hand eye coordination, concentration and visual attention.
- Cites beresin, eugene, m.d.'s "inside out, outside in" and schwarzenegger v. entertainment merchants association.
- Explains that schwarzenegger v. ema. parks, allison, hele sweeting, danil wight, and et al. do television and electronic games predict children's psychosocial adjustment?
984 wordsRead More - The shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Coloradoanalytical essayChildren that play violent video games at such a young age will have a bad effect on them. “Not everybody who plays these games will become murderers, just as not everybody who smoke gets cancer” (Quittner, J). Every day people play with these games will have an effect on the way they look at things, they will begin to have aggressive thoughts, and they will begin to have a change in behavior. On average boys spend thirteen hours per week and girls spend five hours on video games. This amount of time a week will have a major effect of these children minds. “Violent video games effect people. They increase aggressive thoughts, angry feelings, and physical arousal symptoms.”(Rollins 1)
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the shooting at columbine high school in littleton, colorado shocked the world. seventy percent of children ages eight to eighteen have access to violent video games.
- Explains that violent games cause children's minds to alter, causing them to act rudely. teenage brains are in the middle of growing, so it is very penetrable for video games to have a major impact on their mind.
- Explains the negative effects of playing violent video games on the mind and behavior of a child.
- Explains that violent video games prepare kids to kill and even teach them to enjoy the experience. there have been many major disasters where somebody is trying to live their digital fantasy.
- Opines that children who play violent video games at such a young age will have bad effects on them.
664 wordsRead More