video games and violence

Video Games: violence or no violence

Violence is a nation wide problem existing the united stated today. Many of our everyday lives and activities involve violence either encountering it or witnessing it. The media and many other angry parents like to find a source to blame such as video games. Although video games are very entertaing and becoming more of a virtual reality the truth is that they are actually becoming an army system training the minds of many individuals.

An older study from 1967 had reported that simply seeing violent images caused an increase in violent thoughts. They called this the “Weapons effect” (Anderson). There are several theories that also might apply to violence in kids through video games. One is the social learning theory, which says that violence is learned by watching and then repeating. Another is the arousal theory, which says that if the player is naturally angry, playing video games might anger them more. A third theory is the main theory. It says that video games activate related primary structures, and future thoughts might be processed in an aggressive state of mind. Another theory is the catharsis theory, which says that video games are an outlet for violent thought

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For example there were four different studies that focused on 4th – 12th graders. If the player chooses to aggress, it may lead to more aggression later in life. The important results of this study were that the more violent video games were played, the more aggressive the player became (Anderson). Another study shows that video game violence has a smaller effect on aggression than television violence (Bensley 255). They either played Myst (puzzle solving) or Wolfenstien 3D (first person shooter). I believe weapons affect theory and/or any of the others relate to violent minds

Over one thousand different studies exist showing a connection between media violence and aggression in children (American Academy of Pediatrics). Data gathered from both of these tests also showed that short-term exposure to violent video games increased violent thoughts, but not hostility (Anderson). It says that games may be useful to reduce violent tendencies (Bensley 245-246).

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Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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