Do Videogames cause violent tendincies?

Question

this is my question that i have to write an essay about so please respond

Answer 1

it depends on the child and the environment that he was raised in, like for example, the lazy and friendless teen bedroom hermit, it might, thats if hes listening to depressing music and wearing unusual cloths, or "weak" minded teens, or easily influenced kids, however, with the proper raising, the child can learn the difference than cool in the game and cool in real life, for example, someone with the "good Christian" mindset, goes to church every Saturday, and so on, if there is a child in that family who plays grand theft auto daily, because his parents tought him that mass murder and hookers are not "cool" things to do, but because its in a game no actual damage is done other than the deaths of 50 Kb people, who are easily replaced, but killing someone in real life is not replaceable, for example, life has no reset button, also careful monitoring of the child playing the game and what they do for fun will show you if the game is having effects on the child, like if he gets into fights and grades start to fall, then its effecting him, also look at what else could be effecting him, like what has he chosen for friends? caring people or crack heads? some people like to stop the problem before it has a chance to start, and don't let their kids play games rated above thier age group, then you have parents who blame car thiefts and robberies on video games, i doubt that any of those parents have ever donated for after school programs, and i can see how few donations there are, i used to be in fun frydays or something like that, and everything was rundown, but the parents need to enroll their kids into the programs, the parents need to be more responsible with their kids and do more with them. but like i said, it depends on the kid.

Answer 2

I don't know the full scientific study or even if it has any merit. I grew up watching violence on TV and at the movies. (I had a single mom and the theatre in town did little to ID kids for R rated movies).

I have no violent tendecies that I'm aware of. I'm ardently anti-violent against other people (women especially). I DO like the more violent vidoe games (GTA, Shooters, etc) as I think they provide a release.

I'm sure that said video games (AND TV AND movies) will affect some people in a bad way. Do we outlaw a major entertainment venue for the whole population because it affects a minority in a negative manner?

I say no.

Answer 3

It depends on the game- it's just like asking "do books cause violent behavior?".

Video games are just a medium of entertainment, like books, TV & movies. So we'd have to look at all of them.

I'd say that SOME video games provide an good outlet for frustration that might otherwise have resulted in real-world violence. By letting off steam playing HALO and having fun, people are less likely to have repressed anger and resentment with no outlet, which often manifests as real-world violence.

Other video games are non-violent or puzzle games to begin with, and I don't think they contribute. Tetris, Mario World and Sonic the Hedgehog are probably harmless.

Games like Grand Theft Auto, The Godfather & Saint's Row- possibly. Those games are intended for adults to begin with, and could be very damaging to young kids who don't already have a clear understanding of what behavior works in the real world, and what only works in video game. But for well-adjusted adults, playing a game of GTA isn't going to make them start running off down the street, looking to steal a tank.

Parents who let their kids play titles like that are doing as much harm as parents who let their kids drink. But is the company who bottles the vodka responsible for that?

Answer 4

No. Society needs a scapegoat. Most people understand the difference between right and wrong. Violence is deemed wrong by society, I would think that it would take more than a video game, movie, or song to incite such hatred. Though, I do believe that due to the amount of needless violence we are exposed to at such a young age, we as a society have become jaded....but not jaded enough to overlook our morals and reenact such stupidity.

If you were to ask me about drugs and the media, I'd say yes the media influences drug use.

Answer 5

if video games make people become violent, then TV, and family should be blamed to. i think that some kids are more vulnerable and might get the wrong ideas. (like thinking that violence is a good way to solve problems)
but i think that video games can also very useful (not all of them are) i helps you to acquire skills like problem solving under stress, and multitasking. (this i'm not making it up, i read it some where)

so if you need to right about it then maybe expose both sides the good and the bad, and then make an argument for the one YOU think is the right answer.

Pao

Answer 6

"cause?" No.
However, if somebody playing them already has violent tendencies, the realistic depiction of violence with no consequences in video games can reinforce those tendencies.

Numerous studies have been done that show people that don't already have violent tendencies feel *less* violent after playing a video game, almost like it's a release of tension. But those that already have violent tendencies feel *more* violent afterwards, instead of being a release it becomes a fulfilment of their existing fantasies.

Answer 7

maybe sometimes, someone should correlate the video game watching tendency with ACTUAL violent crime. Maybe it releives some tension and causes less. Maybe the same for porn. I would be very interested in actual numbers. I was in a video store with my sis buying a game for my niece. I asked if they had any nice freindy video games. They didn't. Not much call for it I guess. Sad. Maybe some bright programmer could make a butterfly catching video.

Answer 8

I don't believe so. If this were true, all of us that grew up with the Three Stooges would be poking eyes out ( and all the other crazy stunts they pulled).

Answer 9

No, that is just parents passing the buck for their poor parenting skills.

Answer 10

Video games are gay.