Is there evidence that violent videogames (16+, 18+) affect minors (and even adults) in a bad way?

Question

Especially in the USA they link video games to massacres and school violence.

Answer 1

Research undertaken in the U.K. a number of years ago absolutely refuted any evidence that T.V. programmes influenced the behaviour of children who took part in the study.
I was always uneasy with the findings given that the T.V. industry is funded by advertisements which are designed to alter the purchasing behaviour of the viewer!
It seems that if behaviour was not altered, then the the advertisers wouldn't spend multi-millions of pounds producing them.
There are clear parallels here.

Answer 2

I remember reading a few months ago about some scientific research that was done into this; but I'm afraid I can't remember the exact details for you to research further.

They tested adolescents before and after playing violent video games and found that it reduced memory and other measures of cognitive function and also raised emotional response. i.e. violent video games are bad for the brain. HOWEVER this was only the short term effects and it is possible that they wore off quite quickly or equally there could be bad long terms affects. There just hasn't been any research.

In terms of the links between real violence and video games, I personally don't think we should instantly say that there is a link. But I certainly think it does have an affect to some degree merely because in some cases it has. But for most people I don't think it is too bad. It is an area that I think needs more research,

Answer 3

Yes, quite a bit of evidence. Check out some of the studies via the links. Interesting topic! According to a medical study on Reuters.com, there appears to be a possible link between violent video games and aggressive behavior.

Headed by Indiana University School of Medicine's Dr. Vincent Mathews, the study examined 44 youths between the ages of 13 and 17 (none of whom had any history of emotional issues or mental disease), and they were split into two groups to play two very different games: Medal of Honor: Frontline and Need for Speed: Underground. They used an MRI to track visible changes in brain activity during the gaming process.

Upon completion of the experiment, the 22 who had played MoH showed increased activity in the areas of emotional arousal and decreased activity in the areas of control and focus.

"What we showed is there is an increase in emotional arousal," said Dr. Mathews. "The fight or flight response is activated after playing a violent videogame."

Study2

May Be More Harmful Than Violent Television and Movies Because of the Interactive Nature of the Games

WASHINGTON - Playing violent video games like Doom, Wolfenstein 3D or Mortal Kombat can increase a person's aggressive thoughts, feelings and behavior both in laboratory settings and in actual life, according to two studies appearing in the April issue of the American Psychological Association's (APA) Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Furthermore, violent video games may be more harmful than violent television and movies because they are interactive, very engrossing and require the player to identify with the aggressor, say the researchers.

"One study reveals that young men who are habitually aggressive may be especially vulnerable to the aggression-enhancing effects of repeated exposure to violent games," said psychologists Craig A. Anderson, Ph.D., and Karen E. Dill, Ph.D. "The other study reveals that even a brief exposure to violent video games can temporarily increase aggressive behavior in all types of participants."

Answer 4

There is no doubt that there is a correlation between playing violent video games and committing violence, with all age groups.

What is not clear, however, is which is cause and which is effect. Does playing such games cause violence, or (and I think more likely) do violent people like to play these games?

Answer 5

wOULD YOU SAY THAT "BRAIN-WASHING" WAS AN APPROPRIATE TERM TO USE?

Violent video games feed your mind over and over and over and over and over and over.
These games de-sensitize us to violence and thereby make it all that much easier to experience for ourselves.
These games send out only violent messages to players who get hooked on the "power" of violence, not how to use other coping skills to overcome situations.
We accept into our minds what we are constantly fed.
If you question this, just take a look at what goes on in wartime with prisoners or, for that matter, take a child's parental rearing...don't you accept as real/true what your parents have taught you by over and over and over and over the same message??

Each of us has a CHOICE to learn how to feed our mind the right things, just as we need to feed our body the right things for optimum health.

Answer 6

No, I am 29 years old and love violent video games but anyone who allows these games to influence their behaviour in real life is mentally retarded. I use them as substitutes for movies.

Answer 7

to kids that kow the difference between right and wrong it shouldnt affect them i played those games for like 4 years and it didnt affect me in any way.

Answer 8

yes i think it does have an effect on a vunerable person

Answer 9

Only in America. : )