UA COMM 309 - Video Game Violence: Effects and Controversy

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Comm 309-Week 4 Notes (Lecture 7)Video Game Violence: Effects and Controversy - The Supreme Court rules against Arnold S. law of selling violent video games to people under 18 - Sexual content can be regulated, but violence is not Video Game Mechanisms - Violent video games to have an effect, due to:o Identification with the aggressor (you are the aggressor in violent video games)o Active participation (you are controlling the game)o Repetitive actions (learning process occurs more rapidly)o Reinforcement for aggressive actions - In a study, people played violent and nonviolent games on a 2D monitor, 2D projector, and 3D projectoro No matter what the display, all the violent video games scored higher on anger (the 3D projector the most)- Research suggests that a substantial number of video games contain some type of violent content o This violence often: Involves a constant hurting or killing of others There is no punishment for killing  The more you kill, the more you are rewarded The killing is almost always seen as justified What are the Effects?- 3 types of studies you can have:1. Experimental lab studies2. Cross-sectional (looking at different age groups)3. Longitudinal studies (looking at people over time)- If you compare TV and movies to video games:o For experimental studies: media violence in video games increases aggression N>1300 while media violence on TV increases N>9000o For cross-sectional studies: media violence in video games increases aggression N>4000 while media violence on TV increases aggression N>37,000o For longitudinal studies: media violence in video games increases N>400 while media violence on TV increases aggression N>4000- The American Psychological Association in 2005 called for resolution on violence in video games/interactive media—calls for reduction of violence in video games marketed to children and youth o They argued that if you looked at the effects of violent interactive video games you would find that it: Increases aggressive behavior  Increases aggressive thoughts Increases angry feelings Increases physiological arousal Decreases helpful behavior Four Key Questions about Violent Video Games (Anderson) 1. Is the research evidence consistent? (consistent patterns)2. Is there causal evidence? (does the research suggest that playing a violent video game causes aggressive behavior)3. Is there evidence of effects on seriously aggressive behavior? (criminal activities)4. Is there a good theory? - *graph on d2l*Aggressive Behavior in Video Game Studies - Punishment level for opponent - Hitting, kicking, punching, biting…- Fights in school- Physical assault - Robbery - Verbal aggression - Teacher ratings- Peer ratings- Parent ratings - Graph on d2lRisk Factors for Youth Violence - Graph on d2lNew Research on Brain Activity - Research finds that children who play violent video games or watch violent TV can become violent themselves, a study looked at if this effect could be more profound on their brains that affect this behavior - One study said that one week of violent video game play alters prefrontal activity ( study design on d2l) o Violent game group showed less activity in areas that involved emotions, attention and inhibition of our impulses when presented with violent wordso Violent game players showed decreased brain activity in the parts of the brain that regulate attention and concentration o Brain activity reverted back to normal after a week of non-playing What We Know- Violent video games increase likelihood of aggressive and violent behavior in the immediate situation and over time - No group (age, personality, sex, etc.) appears wholly immune - Children and adolescents are highly exposed What We Don’t Know - Why are violent video games so popular? (very interactive, arousing, a lot of action going on)- What aspects of violent games have the biggest impact?Why Do We Deny Effects?- My friend watches a lot of violent media and has killed no one (we only think of extreme behaviors) - Third person effect (I play, and it doesn’t affect me; it might affect other people)- We understand biological processes more than psychological - The media denies effects-Agenda SettingMyths about the Effects 1. Researchers see violent content in the media or video games as the direct cause of effects in viewers or players - It is the accumulation of risk factors; not direct - When scientific research documents a causal effect of violent games on aggression this means that violent games are ONE risk factor increasing the likelihood of aggressive behaviors- Research example: d2l slide2. It’s only make believe violence - Some Huesmann Longitudinal Measures:o Spouse abuseo Serious physical aggression o Criminal behavior 3. Small fraction of individuals affected and effect size is small - Small fraction from a large population has social implications- Meta analyses reveal that violent video games effect sizes are larger than the effect of second hand smoke on lung cancer 4. Those who find effects for media violence are biased Why the Debate?- There is a general perception among journalists and the public that the issue of whether media violence causes aggressive behavior is undecided- a 10-1 consensus still seems to persuade journalists that there is a debateConclusions - “It is clear to me that the causal relationship between televised violence and antisocial behavior is sufficient to warrant appropriate and immediate remedial action. There comes a time when the data are sufficient to justify action. That time has come.” –US Surgeon General 1972(Lecture 8) Mass Media Sex: Content and Effects Teens, Media, and Sex - Teens rank media as top source of info - Graph on d2l Third Person Effects - We think that these things don’t affect us, but they affect others - A study asked: How much, if at all, do you think the sexual behaviors on TV influence the sexual behaviors of teens your age?o 32% said a lot o 40% said somewhat o 22% said only a little o 6% said not at all - They also asked: How much, if at all, do you think the sexual behaviors on TV influence your ownsexual behavior?o 6% said a lot o 16% said somewhat o 28% said only a little o 50% said not at all - Another study asked parents: How much, if at all, do you think exposure to sexual content in themedia contributes to children becoming involved in sexual situations before they are ready?o 55% said a lot o 30% said somewhat o 11% said only a little o 3% said


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UA COMM 309 - Video Game Violence: Effects and Controversy

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