Violence_and_Video_Games

Ever since the release of Death Race in 1976 there has been an outcry against violent video games. Despite all the unthought-out claims accusing violent video games of being the main cause of violence, research has shown that its a very small percentile of the actual cause. Video games are being used as a scapegoat for causing violence and many have undermined some of the actual causes such as abuse, depression, and social isolation which are some of the main causes of these violent actions. In order to see why some of these anomalies occur we first take a look at the cause of these actions. The idea of Nature vs. Nurture plays an enormous role and the saying, “Criminals are not born, but made”, comes into play when looking into whether or not a person is considered a criminal. As children grow up they are easily “manipulated” into perceiving the world around them from the simplest gesture of a wave and a smile to yelling and abuse, in this case we look at abuse. Many researchers have come to conclude that the reason behind video game violence is caused by past experiences. “Any link found between video games and violence is best explained by other variables such as exposure to family violence and aggressive personality” (7). Influencing violence at an early age will only cause children to be more attracted towards it. “Violent games do not cause youth to be violent. Instead, youth that are predisposed to be violent seek out violent entertainment such as video games”(6). One of the main reasons why video games have become so popular is because they resemble reality, a reality without boundaries. Being able to customize a character to look exactly like the gamer has become an option many companies have incorporated into their games. Although this may seem as a leading cause to gamers being more obsessed with games than their actual lives, it has to do more with the circumstances surrounding them.“The results indicate that people’s virtual experience through role-playing games can influence their attitudes and judgments of similar real-life crimes, especially if the crimes are similar to what they conducted while playing games”(3) This moral dilemma can help players better understand the difference between right and wrong and can increase guilt and empathy towards others. Rather than killing people or beating up school bullies in reality they can express their emotions through video games. Through video games players can express their emotions without worrying what others think. “use games to experience fantasies of power and fame, to explore and master what they perceive as exciting and realistic environments (but distinct from real life), to work through angry feelings or relieve stress, and as social tools”(5). Games have allowed players to explore their fantasies and learning about the difference between real and fake through experience.”A large and growing body of research explores violent video games’ potential for negative psychosocial effects on their players. Despite such attention, there is a general lack of con- sensus regarding the presence and extent of such negative effects, with some studies indicating a link between violent video game play and aggressive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in players”(2). Many have believed that since playing video games would cause people to become more prone to violence this could conclude that it can also help as a source of relaxation. One of the main reasons why video games have become so popular is because they resemble reality, a reality without boundaries. Through the advancement of technology we begin to lose ourselves in a completely new world and video games have allowed this to become ever more true. “Sometimes watching a movie or playing a video game can feel like stepping into another world, where the impossible is possible and the unreal looks only too real”(1). Video games have blurred the difference between what is reality and fantasy, but many have forgotten that it’s only a sources of entertainment. If one was to judge video games for being harmful then one should also see the violent movies, music, and books do nothing less. The most common misconception is that violent video games are the leading cause to school shootings. The most recent attack at Virginia Tech with shooter, Seung-Hui Cho, killed thirty two students and professors and video games was the cause. In the media the news of the cause spread like wild fire and without further proof everyone started to believe.”Thus, it was something of a shock when investigators concluded that Cho had little to no exposure | to violent video games” (29 ). He owned copies of games, but to conclude that video games was the cause was irrational. Millions of people around the world play video games and to conclude that since a few rare instances led to violent action that all violent action occur due to violent video games is unjust. As the popularity for violent video games increase the statistics will eventually outweigh the facts considerably. Through cause of why some of the actions occur will never be known for sure, but what we can conclude is that violence and video games will always be present in our lives.