Barry
Mr. Do It All
Jul 6, 2004, 12:29 AM
Post #1 of 1
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Video game producers v. activists still at odds regarding violence in video games.
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There is still wide controversy relating to the effect video game violence has on children, one side claims there is no evidence video games have any damaging psychological effects, while the other says the link between gaming and aggression is as strong as the link between cigarettes and cancer. One of the problems with determining whether or not either is correct lies with the lack of scientific evidence regarding video gaming. (Check out the article within the Social issues forum pertaining to Universities and their initiative to investigate video gaming.)
A 2001 report by the surgeon general wasn't much help: While noting that media violence had a small effect on physical aggression and a moderate impact on "aggressive thinking," it concluded by saying, "The impact of video games on violent behavior remains to be determined." Is someone paying somebody off? Any right minded individual, and especially concerned parents, will notice video games have an uncanny knack of influencing kids and teens.
When defending games, the industry often cites a 2000 Washington State Department of Health study that found "research evidence is not supportive of a major public concern that violent video games lead to real-life violence."
Gaming opponents, however, have sources of their own. A 2000 report from six health care organizations, including the American Medical, Pediatric, and Psychiatric associations, said preliminary studies on the effects of violent games "indicate that the negative impact may be significantly more severe than that wrought by television, movies, or music."
One of the main overall weaknesses with research in this field is that it generally deals with older games, so the effects of technological advancement and more mature games released since about 2000 have yet to be seen. Even the researchers who find evidence that violent games can lead to bad behavior will not say how games rank among a host of other so-called "risk factors" like poverty, abuse or neglect. However, the fact the video gaming industry is surpassing such industries as the movie business, one can argue the effects of video games is fast becoming not only a favorite past-time, but in need of some solid answers regarding their effects on behavior.
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