Violence in Video Games Essay examples

Hundreds of studies have been done to determine whether violent video games will really make juveniles more violent. Randomized experiments were used in several studies to examine the short-term effect of violent video games (Anderson and Berkowitz et al. 90). In these studies, children were randomly assigned to play violent or nonviolent video games and then were observed when given an opportunity to be aggressive. The result was that children who played violent video games usually behaved aggressively.

This article is a very useful source. Is useful because it answers the question, “Do violent video games cause an increase in aggression.” The question is answered thoroughly by the author because they cited recent studies, examples, and peer reviewed or scholarly sources that all concluded that violent video games cause an increase in aggression. The author is objective because they countered their argument by stating that

According to Jeff Grabmeier, "‘Broad Consensus’ that Violent Media Increase Child Aggression," news.osu.edu, Oct. 6, 2014, 90% of pediatricians and 67% of parents agreed or strongly agreed that violent video games can increase aggressive behavior among children.

True or False: Violent videogames cause children to become more aggressive. Sorry, that was a trick question. Despite much bandying of statistics and loud talking by critics on both sides of the argument, the real answer is that there is no real answer—at least not one that’s been proved scientifically (Zipp). Video games are an appealing target for a public figure in search of a crusade. Movies and music have energetic advocates, but it’s hard to find anyone who will defend games for their artistic value, or even on the grounds of freedom of expression. Usually the strongest argument made for games is that they are harmless fun (Koffler).

Throughout a number of recent studies, participants playing violent video games have consistently shown increases in their aggressive behavior, both during and after the gameplay. A study that linked violent video games to child aggression found that in every group they tested, “Children who were exposed to more video game violence did become more aggressive over time than their peers who had less exposure” (Harding 1). An increase in aggressive behavior after playing violent video games is quite common in most cases, although many gamers would argue that other factors, such as people’s emotions, cause this negative change in behavior. This reveals numerous questions surrounding the effects that video game violence might have on

Violent video games are usually the blame for school shootings, bullying or just regular aggressiveness. In “Violent Video Games Linked to Child Aggression” they did a study and looked at how children and teen’s video game habits relate to their behavior. The study supposedly showed that “children who were exposed to more video game violence did become more aggressive over time than their peers who had less exposure”. Although this study show that children are more aggressive when they are exposed to violent video games, I believe that children do not become more aggressive after playing violent video games.

The playing of violent video games at an early age does not affect how violent one becomes in the future. Based off a variety of studies, there is no real proof that playing violent video games leads to an increase

Anderson, Craig A. Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts, and Unanswered Questions. N.p., Oct. 2006. Web. 5 Feb. 2016.

Many people claim that violent video games increase aggression, however, this is not true. There has been an enormous amount of research done looking for any links violent video games and violence acts committed, and researchers haven't found any. Dr. Christopher Ferguson, a psychology professor at Texas A&M International University, cited data from federal criminal justice agencies showing that serious violent crimes among youths have decreased since 1996, even as video game sales have increased. Some research shows that almost over 97% of American boys own or have a violent video game in the there house. That's almost a 50% increase from

The questions posed for Psychology this week is “Do violent video games increase aggressive thoughts and behaviors?” After reading chapter five in the “Psych” textbook, the obvious answer would be yes. There are countless studies that show that watching violence increase emotional arousals, aggressive behavior, and violent thoughts (Rathus 128). The studies also indicate that violent video games are also connected with aggressive behavior and an increase in aggressive thoughts (Rathus 128). Many video gamers would disagree with the numerous studies that have been done; however, if the studies prove aggression, then that is something you have to accept. The studies are not a one size

As the world’s technology grows, so does the violence in our community. What once used to be harmless playtime has turned into bloody online competitions. By playing video games, you are emerging yourself into a world of coding, hacking and overall just computerized everything. Every time you turn on the “Xbox” or a “ps4”, you get sucked into a realistic fantasy and you will take drastic measure just to defeat a fictional character. In all violent video games, the gist of the game is to kill. The once innocent players now have developed a wanting of the harm of

"Blast! Head shot! That guy was pulverized!" These are only a few samples of the dialog talked between kids who play games such as like “Call of Duty” or “Halo”. In today 's age, kids frequently boast about the quantity of players they figured out how to kill while playing these video games. Two decades ago, this would not be the typical waste of time of an eleven year old, yet now kids are seeing this kind of brutal movement as simply one more approach to take a break on a Saturday morning. Since the video game market is blasting at this moment because of progressive gaming systems like the Wii, Playstation, and Xbox, this issue is turning out to be more serious; parents should be mindful of and strongly advised about the reasons why violent video games could hurt their children. Despite the fact that the violence in these video games is fictional, the essential ideas driving the savagery have been demonstrated to prompt more aggressive behavior in developing children. Violent video games instruct youngsters that brutality is acceptable and fun at the same time, have been demonstrated to prompt forceful practices in kids, furthermore desensitize kids. The brutal demonstrations portrayed in video games are transforming the psyches of youthful kids, permitting them to imagine that firearm violence and executing is a recreational activity.

The evolution of video games has taken a drastic change since the 1970’s when video games were first introduced. Since then every decade video games have become more violent in nature with strong language and realistic to suit society today. Craig Anderson states that with more violence in video games they would sell better than games with less violence (Anderson, Gentile, and Beckley pg.5). Violent video games really became popular when the first person shooter games were invented so that we could see through the eyes of the player, as if we were really experiencing it. Society wanted better graphics and games as time went on new technology was invented and society matured in electronics. This meant that for game creators would have to come up with something better selling than the last. Creators would make the games more violent and more realistic each time so that way they can keep the interest of their consumers. Each game would increase in blood or gore slowly, but what really got consumers to buy their games would be the update of graphics in the consoles or games. This is due to the drastic changing of technology and the maturing of consumers wanting better and newer violent video games. Violent video games can cause children to behave violently if not correctly supervised.

Violent video games are advantageous because they can help people relax and deal with social problems/stress. For example, “No study has ever shown that violent video games result directly in actual violence, let alone mass shootings” (Kain). Also, “None of these extreme acts, like a school shooting, occurs because of only one risk factor; there are many factors, including feeling socially isolated, being bullied, and so on,” said Craig A. Anderson, a psychologist at Iowa State University” (qtd. In Carey). These quotes show that violent video games are not the reason for violence and shootings, hence they should not be blamed for these atrocious acts. Instead, violent video games should be looked on as a positive influence in people’s lives as they can help them stay preoccupied, and not have them focus on the negatives in their lives such as being bullied, not being socially welcomed and other dilemmas they may be experiencing. “In fact, numerous studies have been conducted and the results are mixed. Some studies have shown that video games increase aggression; others show the opposite” (Kain). In other words, even though some studies have shown that video games increase aggression; there are other studies that have shown video games releasing aggression and ultimately relaxing the player. Critics may argue that violent video games increase aggression and make people more violent. “Sure enough, compared with a group who had played a nonviolent video game, those who had been engaged in “Mortal Kombat” were more aggressive across the board” (Carey). However, violent video games can relieve stress and aggression; calming them down and making them safer to be around.

This is a true indication that violent video games trigger the minds of the players that life is like a video game and everyone has to die thus, makes them less concerned about other people’s opinions and also how they feel. Violent video games are associated with antisocial behavior in the player and this contributes to youth crime cases due to the attraction to violence they get after playing such games. According to Perlman (1957), these games are said to be excellent training tools. The continuous exposure to shooting games increases aiming accuracy in firing. Exposure to the games makes one acquire character traits similar to that of the character in the game. They want to get associated to the game character by doing what the game character does in the game be it killing or damaging