Report Study proves conclusively that violent video game play makes more aggressive kids

[The Helper]

Iowa State University Distinguished Professor of Psychology Craig Anderson has made much of his life's work studying how violent video game play affects youth behavior. And he says a new study he led, analyzing 130 research reports on more than 130,000 subjects worldwide, proves conclusively that exposure to violent video games makes more aggressive, less caring kids -- regardless of their age, sex or culture.

The study was published today in the March 2010 issue of the Psychological Bulletin, an American Psychological Association journal. It reports that exposure to violent video games is a causal risk factor for increased aggressive thoughts and behavior, and decreased empathy and prosocial behavior in youths.

"We can now say with utmost confidence that regardless of research method -- that is experimental, correlational, or longitudinal -- and regardless of the cultures tested in this study [East and West], you get the same effects," said Anderson, who is also director of Iowa State's Center for the Study of Violence. "And the effects are that exposure to violent video games increases the likelihood of aggressive behavior in both short-term and long-term contexts. Such exposure also increases aggressive thinking and aggressive affect, and decreases prosocial behavior."

Study proves conclusively that violent video game play makes more aggressive kids

Iowa State University Distinguished Professor of Psychology Craig Anderson has made much of his life's work studying how violent video game play affects youth behavior. And he says a new study he led, analyzing 130 research reports on more than 130,000 subjects worldwide, proves conclusively...

medicalxpress.com

 

[seph ir oth]

Man, I don't care what this article says! Dangit I'm so angry! I'm going to go punch some babies. Maybe throw them against the wall like in that one video game I played. GRRRR!

 

[Narks]

look at me i am social scientist i prove video game make u so angry look at this one study it is PROOF i tell u PROOF undeniable PROOF


I lol'd.

 

[Monsterous]

I need only read the title and say thats wrong. Hundreds, neigh thousands, play violent video games, and they could be generous, or kind etc etc.
Im not exactly the type to stab someone with a pencil for giving me a funny look and i play violent video games.

 

[Ninja_sheep]

geez guys, we know you like your violent games, but that doesn't mean it's okay to just flame the study and hope it goes away lol.

 

[Jackal]

Personally I find fustrating puzzle games such as monopoly aggravating and therefore they make me aggressive and should be banned.

 

[Azlier]

I find Stratego far more effective at turning people into monsters than, say, Resident Evil.

 

[perkeyone]

*begins reading the title

study

so far so good!

proves

wow, this article is bullshit

conclusively

fail, these guys are assholes

that violent video game play makes more aggressive kids

*fixed: global warming is caused by lack of pirates

 

[Pineapple]

Wait wait wait.

Because you play violent video games and you claim to not be a violent person, this entire study is bullshit because it doesn't talk exclusively about you?

Well, then, holy shit.

"And the effects are that exposure to violent video games increases the likelihood of aggressive behavior in both short-term and long-term contexts. Such exposure also increases aggressive thinking and aggressive affect, and decreases prosocial behavior."

For example, maybe getting pissy at a study?

Honestly. Lots of people ARE AGGRESSIVE, and lots of people PLAY VIOLENT GAMES.

Yes, we call all blame the parents. Its true, they shouldn't let children play games. But really, at the end of it, the games aren't going to have no effect.

Unlike all of everyone who plays these games, I think there is truth to it. Go on games like Call of Duty, Left 4 Dead, etc...

and listen. How many people are screaming, or getting pissy if you screw up? Much Much Much more than none.

 

[UnknowVector]

>http://www.usatoday.com/news/health...alth+-+Top+Stories)&utm_content=Google+Reader

You might try this report as well. I particularly like the omission of absolutes like "conclusively", and the addition of quoted phrases like "strongly supports". I used to think physorg was a levelheaded site.

I don't suppose anyone here is subscribed to Psychology Bulletin XD?

EDIT: Also, not to go on a linking rampage here, but Psychology Bulletin is apparently running a piece critiquing that article as well.

> More critique (indirect, summarized from the other article it seems) > http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100301/1357558345.shtml

 

[AnthraxXx]

I knew this would get lots of responses!

Personally, if its proven then... well - there you go.

I personally believe it doesn't affect ALL gamers, but some - yes.

300th post... sweet...

 

[Zakyath]

Did anyone read more than the title? You guys getting pissed for this is hilarious, because it proves just how right it is .

""These are not huge effects -- not on the order of joining a gang vs. not joining a gang," said Anderson. "But these effects are also not trivial in size. It is one risk factor for future aggression and other sort of negative outcomes. And it's a risk factor that's easy for an individual parent to deal with -- at least, easier than changing most other known risk factors for aggression and violence, such as poverty or one's genetic structure"

There is truth in this, isn't it obvious? The question really is how much it does affect you.

 

[ElderKingpin]

s-s-so i cant play L4D Anymore? D:

 

[ReVolver]

My little brother plays Grand Theft Auto IV and he's the nicest kid in school...


Study = Fail

 

[perkeyone]

have you guys every played the new mario for the wii in multiplayer?
now that is a video game that will turn me violent.
i never mario could make me want to hit my little brother so badly.

also the reason i dont like the study is because it is supposedly scientific
yet is uses phrases like "proves conclusively"
(not because it doesn't talk exclusively about me)
it also states that "These are not huge effects"
so even if they did "prove" violent video games increase violent behavior/thoughts
they also "proved" it only does so by a trivial amount.

furthermore, these types of studies are sort of a crusade in my eyes.
other forms of media and other kinds of games do not seem to have the same level of scrutiny
id like to see a study on weather
watching a kung fu movies or a being a fan of hockey or football
will make your more aggressive.

the article that unknown vector linked makes some good points.

 

[The Helper]

>http://www.usatoday.com/news/health...alth+-+Top+Stories)&utm_content=Google+Reader

You might try this report as well. I particularly like the omission of absolutes like "conclusively", and the addition of quoted phrases like "strongly supports". I used to think physorg was a levelheaded site.

I don't suppose anyone here is subscribed to Psychology Bulletin XD?

EDIT: Also, not to go on a linking rampage here, but Psychology Bulletin is apparently running a piece critiquing that article as well.

> More critique (indirect, summarized from the other article it seems) > http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20100301/1357558345.shtml

Rebuttals on this are much appreciated! Physorg is an awesome site and they posted it for the same reason I did. To get a response

We love to watch people talk about it :shades:

 

[Matemeo]

My little brother plays Grand Theft Auto IV and he's the nicest kid in school...


Study = Fail

You can't take one case and use it to attempt to completely discredit something learned in a study. There are always outliers and things that don't fit into the norm. This study was incredibly stupid for using the words, "prove" and "conclusively" as in any good psychology any kind of black and white generalization is inappropriate.

The points the study brings up though are valid and should be a serious concern. Also no one is saying you're going to play some violent video games and kill someone. It can be as simple as thinking more aggressive thoughts or choosing a more aggressive alternative.

 

[Dark_Phoenix]

What. No. We're not agressive. NO.

 

[Grundy]

I need only read the title and say thats wrong. Hundreds, neigh thousands, play violent video games, and they could be generous, or kind etc etc.
Im not exactly the type to stab someone with a pencil for giving me a funny look and i play violent video games.

I don't think you read this right. He didn't say people who play violent video games are bad people. He said they are more aggresive and care less about shit and I don't know how anyone can honestly deny that. Just go on xbox live for like a minute playing Halo or Call of Duty and listen to those kids. There's no way you can deny that playing those games had any effect on them.

 

[Ninva]

I'm a pacifist. Explain that.