Violence is a unfortunately a huge part of this world. From the "War on Terror" to school shootings to suicides. After the recent event in Baker Center I think suicide/violence is on the top of everyone's mind here at Ohio University. The question is what does the media have to do with it, especially video games. There are many people against violence in video games, but they still are the top selling games in the country. For example, this picture is from the game Manhunt 2 where you can kill your enemies with many weapons and other objects. This game has been released for the Nintendo Wii game console. To kill your enemies you must actually act out the violence with the Wii controller. So, if you are swinging an ax like in this photo you would actually mimic the motion by swinging the controller. This takes video game violence to a frightening new level.
People on both sides of this argument have something to say. The fact is that violent video games actually influence your brain. It has been proven in research at Michigan State University that there are aggressive effects of playing violent video games. Of course there are skeptics of this research even if it is measuring your brain. Another study that did not include measuring brain waves found that violent video games do not cause aggression. Personally I believe sitting down and playing a violent video game helps me relieve stress not build it. When I'm done playing I don't want to go around killing people, that's crazy. Who are we to believe, especially when it comes to children?
I would like to ask all of you after reading these articles, who do you believe? In your eyes do violent video games cause aggression? Could they be connected to violent crimes in the real world? Does the violent game on the Nintendo Wii take violence in video games "over the top?"
For more information visit:
Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts, and Unanswered Questions
15 comments:
I think that if you are going to commit a violent crime, whether or not you play a violent video game, is not going to cause you to commit the crime. I think that people that are already violent are the ones that tend to like those video games. Not that non-violent people don't play the game and violent people always do. Sometimes the violent video games are fun. They can be more exciting. However there are times when I am like geez this game is kind of crazy. Either way I wouldn't go out and start shooting people. Now if I was already planning on killing some one the video games would boost that initiative to want to do those things.
I think that in younger children, video games have a bigger impact because the younger years are when the most is learned. But when older kids play them, I think the know that it's merely a game. The Wii is, however, taking the video game violence over the top. It's scary that you can actually act out the motions...it's almost like "practice", and honestly I think that's wrong.
I personally do not think playing violent video games leads to violence. Howeve the Wii game has brought a new side to this arguement. Now you are basically doing everything realistic in killing someone besides actually killing them. Swinging the remote in the same way you would to use the weapon is a little too far i think. Not only is this giving the player the ability to kill its showing them how to kill. I think Wii killing games may be a little overboard.
I think that violent video games are not the problem, it is just the people who play them who are deluded and can not seperate reality and fantasy. Personally I don't play violent video games because I don't think they are fun. I don't have anything against anyone who play them, I just don't. I think it can only fuel a already large fire in some one. I have just stuck by my idea that violence is something that people are entertained by if it is not real to them. If you fought in the war chances are playing a game based on that particular war won't be so fun(ect.)
Unlike other people who will say video games have a bigger impact and shouldn't play them, I think instead of keeping them away, it is more important to stress to the child that it is NOT real and that is NOT how the real world works.
Violent video games do not lead to real violence. Many people who blame their acts on violent video games do not understand the difference between reality and imitation. Unfortunately this puts a bad name on video games. Games are meant as tools for enjoyment, NOT killing.
The idea of acting out the games in a Wii, like killing your enemy is scary. I mean, it's like a step away from actually handing the kids and axe and saying "go have fun". I think video games have more effect on us than we really know. You can teach kids that video games are not real, and that's not what you do in real life, but in a moment of rage or desperation, that kid can draw from those violent games. Violent games help fuel aggression, and it's only a matter of time before we start creating mass murders from the Wii.
I think that the video games are not really making kids more aggressive. I do agree though that in younger children video games can have a bigger impact. I think it's just up to parents to teach kids right from wrong and help them understand whats real and what's not. Obviously there are many people who play these games and they are not running around shooting people. It just depends on the person.
Even though I'm not a real big gamer (I can count the times I've played video games on my two hands) I've always been pretty fair minded about the games. I have never thought that video games, themselves, cause violence; it just depends on the individual who's playing. What is running through their mind and all of that. After all, you're just pushing a button on a controller. This Wii game, however, has crossed a line, in my opinion. Now, kids have to physically act out the killing of other people. Putting the idea into a kid's head is one thing, but then to put that motion and bodily rememberance (I think I just made up a term...) into effect - that's something else. The body will remember the motion and movement, coupled with the memory of the game, who knows what that could do to a kid. I still think that a lot of it has to do with the individual, however, no one needs to be physically acting out killing someone else for entertainment. There will be reprecussions for that.
Violent video games might not cause the player t o be aggressive, but it does affect them in some way. I agree, running around killing people on Grand Theft Auto relieves me but i now the line between reality and fiction. There could be some connections to violent video games and aggressive behavior. The Wii is not taking it farther because killing people is the same in all fictional settings.
It is true that violent video games affect your brain, but everything and anything affects your brain. I believe that the impact of the violent games depends on the person. When I was younger, my older brother and i used to play Mario, Smashbrothers, and Goldeneye. Neither of us play video games anymore, and we get upset when my little brother would rather do that than go outside. I would never be able to kill anyone, or even hurt someone for that matter. I am not a violent person, but I have played violent video games. It is true that there are people that may be negatively influenced by video games, but I think it is wrong to declare that video games cause aggression and violent behavior in EVERYONE. We are individuals and we are individually influenced. We can't group it all together to make a declaration one way or another.
I think personally video games do not cause aggression I mean they help me relieve stress as well but I think for certain people and for certain ages I think it does cause aggression. I don't agree with people when they try and blame their own actions on video games but I think for children acting out violence physically isn't really a good idea. I think people need to take responsibility for their actions and not blame video game aggression.
I do not think that video games lead to or encourage violence. People should know that a video game is far from reality, that the things they do and the actions they take while are very different from real life. If anything, video games let their players let out anger and do certain things that would not be allowed in the real world. Acting out the motions with a Wii is somewhat extreme and shocking, but we have to keep in mind that it is just a game, and just because the players are acting out these motions, it does not mean that they will use them in everyday life.
It would be funny to see if there are past articles in old newspapers about plastic and wooden swords causing violent behavior in kids simply because they act out the motion and hitting stabbing and killing their fellow friends and family. I think my parents turned out find with their cops and robbers with plastic guns. Granted! videogames are much cooler and realistic and yadadadadadadada but so are movies and music and tv and the media and language we use and everything else today.
So Shrugs I think its all an easy scapegoat. Why don't we ban guns! Britain has less then 10 murders due to guns a year or as Chris rock once put it make bullets cost 3000 dollars! You'd think twice before wasting 50 G's on some "fool"
Just because Michigan University has done a test on video games saying they cause aggression what doesn't? Does playing football cause aggression, what about listening to violent music and movies? It just being used as a scapegoat because its the newest industry and hasn't bought enough politicians as the other industries.
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