Do the violent video games have any connection to the increased aggression found amongst teens today? Well, researchers believe that violent video games may be the leading, if not sole, cause of increased violence found amongst kids and teenagers.
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine did a study on the affect of violent games on their players. They divided 44 adolescents into two groups and had them play either “Medal of Honor: Frontline” (a very violent video game) or “Need for Speed: Underground” (a non-violent video game). Each child played either one of the games for 30 minutes and then had an MRI of his/her brain taken. The MRI of the children who played the violent game indicated an increase in emotional arousal as well as a decrease in self-control and attentiveness—an overall negative impact. However, the children who played the non-violent game were not found to have the same negative effect on their brain. This study shows clearly that the violent games are affecting the way the kids think and act for the negative.
In addition to that, according to two studies appearing in the April issue of the American Psychological Association's (APA) Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, playing violent video games “can increase a person's aggressive thoughts, feelings and behavior both in laboratory settings and in actual life.” Researchers say that violent games leave a far worse impact on their players that violent movies do on their watchers. The reason for that is because the interactive games make their players extremely engrossed and feel almost as if the game is a real episode in their life.
Another study conducted on college student showed the extent to which these violent games control the lives of teens who play them. The researchers compared the violent game playing habits and delinquency of two hundred and twenty-seven college students. "We found that students who reported playing more violent video games in junior and high school engaged in more aggressive behavior. We also found that amount of time spent playing video games in the past was associated with lower academic grades in college," said psychologist Anderson, Ph.D.
The fact that violent video games are immensely influencing the behaviors and minds of the kids and teens for the worse cannot be denied. If these studies only indicate the short-term affect these games have, than the long-term effect can only be much worse. Therefore, it is evident that action should be taken to minimize the use of violent video games amongst kids and teenagers
By: Regina Murdakhayeva
Researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine did a study on the affect of violent games on their players. They divided 44 adolescents into two groups and had them play either “Medal of Honor: Frontline” (a very violent video game) or “Need for Speed: Underground” (a non-violent video game). Each child played either one of the games for 30 minutes and then had an MRI of his/her brain taken. The MRI of the children who played the violent game indicated an increase in emotional arousal as well as a decrease in self-control and attentiveness—an overall negative impact. However, the children who played the non-violent game were not found to have the same negative effect on their brain. This study shows clearly that the violent games are affecting the way the kids think and act for the negative.
In addition to that, according to two studies appearing in the April issue of the American Psychological Association's (APA) Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, playing violent video games “can increase a person's aggressive thoughts, feelings and behavior both in laboratory settings and in actual life.” Researchers say that violent games leave a far worse impact on their players that violent movies do on their watchers. The reason for that is because the interactive games make their players extremely engrossed and feel almost as if the game is a real episode in their life.
Another study conducted on college student showed the extent to which these violent games control the lives of teens who play them. The researchers compared the violent game playing habits and delinquency of two hundred and twenty-seven college students. "We found that students who reported playing more violent video games in junior and high school engaged in more aggressive behavior. We also found that amount of time spent playing video games in the past was associated with lower academic grades in college," said psychologist Anderson, Ph.D.
The fact that violent video games are immensely influencing the behaviors and minds of the kids and teens for the worse cannot be denied. If these studies only indicate the short-term affect these games have, than the long-term effect can only be much worse. Therefore, it is evident that action should be taken to minimize the use of violent video games amongst kids and teenagers
By: Regina Murdakhayeva
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