A small but causal link between gaming and violence

Skybird · 03-02-10, 04:37 AM

I found a German essay today, linking me to this story.

A metastudy (that are studies that analyse methodologic reliability and validity of existing studies and combine their results in one) including 130 studies and 130,000 subjects in Western countries and Japan, concludes that violent computer games increase the probability for long- and shorttermed increases in aggressive behaviour. The study, "Violent video game effects on aggression, empathy, and prosocial behavior in Eastern and Western countries", was done by the Centre of the Study of Violence at the Iowa State University, and published in the March issue of the Psychological Bulletin, a publication of the American Psychological Association.

The authors feel so confident about their findings that they even claim that gaming is a causal factor for the increase of aggression, and they also claim that their study also shows that only a highly selective focussing on a incredible small share of existing studies which includes some of the methodologically weakest there are, could lead to conclusions ignoring the causal link between games and violence.

Among some of the findings is that studies cannot show a difference in reaction between western and Japanese players. The authors also say that there are indications that the causal effect of violent games is stronger for younger kids, than for older teenagers.

However, the authors also say the risk that comes from violent games is not enormous and much smaller than in case of becoming a member in a gang, also, the risk from gaming could be easier controlled and tamed by parents.

The authors call for research now being done on the effects of prosocial games that would be expected to raise social behaviour and empathy.

http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2010/mar/vvgeffects

That gamers will not like to hear this, is clear.

August · 03-02-10, 08:29 AM

I've been saying this since years now...

Skybird · 03-12-10, 12:23 PM

http://www.welt.de/webwelt/article67...yes#reqdrucken

"Killergames are more harmless than the Bible and the Quran".

It would be a shame to let that sentence go by unnoticed!

Letum · 03-12-10, 12:41 PM

Since violent deaths per 1000 have been falling exponentially and very
dramatically for hundreds of years, it would take a hell of a lot to change
that. Even the first and second world wars did not have a significant impact
on the downward trend of violent deaths. I doubt any video game, film or
book could have more of an effect.

Video games are nothing in the bigger picture of violence in civilization.
There are far greater forces at work, although it isn't so clear to
anthropologists what those forces are.

ed and OT: can anyone in the know explain why the homicide rate in America briefly shot up between 1915 and 1920?
Lynching? Mafia?

August · 03-12-10, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Letum

ed and OT: can anyone in the know explain why the homicide rate in America briefly shot up between 1915 and 1920?
Lynching? Mafia?

Some folks needed killing?

krashkart · 03-12-10, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Letum

ed and OT: can anyone in the know explain why the homicide rate in America briefly shot up between 1915 and 1920?
Lynching? Mafia?

I'm not sure.

But this song fits the period.

(Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds made a , but it's full of bad words

)

03-12-10, 03:37 PM

http://www.wiiinjury.com/

kiwi_2005 · 03-12-10, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Letum

ed and OT: can anyone in the know explain why the homicide rate in America briefly shot up between 1915 and 1920?
Lynching? Mafia?

Bootlegging, mafia control of the wharfs etc?

Spoon 11th · 03-13-10, 01:16 AM

For kids under age 12 or so the catalyst is plausible, as much as Power Rangers and other violent TV shows.

03-02-10, 04:37 AM	#1
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,620 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	A small but causal link between gaming and violence I found a German essay today, linking me to this story. A metastudy (that are studies that analyse methodologic reliability and validity of existing studies and combine their results in one) including 130 studies and 130,000 subjects in Western countries and Japan, concludes that violent computer games increase the probability for long- and shorttermed increases in aggressive behaviour. The study, "Violent video game effects on aggression, empathy, and prosocial behavior in Eastern and Western countries", was done by the Centre of the Study of Violence at the Iowa State University, and published in the March issue of the Psychological Bulletin, a publication of the American Psychological Association. The authors feel so confident about their findings that they even claim that gaming is a causal factor for the increase of aggression, and they also claim that their study also shows that only a highly selective focussing on a incredible small share of existing studies which includes some of the methodologically weakest there are, could lead to conclusions ignoring the causal link between games and violence. Among some of the findings is that studies cannot show a difference in reaction between western and Japanese players. The authors also say that there are indications that the causal effect of violent games is stronger for younger kids, than for older teenagers. However, the authors also say the risk that comes from violent games is not enormous and much smaller than in case of becoming a member in a gang, also, the risk from gaming could be easier controlled and tamed by parents. The authors call for research now being done on the effects of prosocial games that would be expected to raise social behaviour and empathy. http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2010/mar/vvgeffects That gamers will not like to hear this, is clear. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

03-02-10, 08:29 AM	#2
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,197 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I've been saying this since years now... __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

03-12-10, 12:23 PM	#3
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,620 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	http://www.welt.de/webwelt/article67...yes#reqdrucken "Killergames are more harmless than the Bible and the Quran". It would be a shame to let that sentence go by unnoticed! __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

03-12-10, 12:41 PM	#4
Letum Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: York - UK Posts: 6,079 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Since violent deaths per 1000 have been falling exponentially and very dramatically for hundreds of years, it would take a hell of a lot to change that. Even the first and second world wars did not have a significant impact on the downward trend of violent deaths. I doubt any video game, film or book could have more of an effect. Video games are nothing in the bigger picture of violence in civilization. There are far greater forces at work, although it isn't so clear to anthropologists what those forces are. ed and OT: can anyone in the know explain why the homicide rate in America briefly shot up between 1915 and 1920? Lynching? Mafia? __________________

03-12-10, 03:37 PM	#7
OneToughHerring Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	http://www.wiiinjury.com/

03-13-10, 01:16 AM	#9
Spoon 11th Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Finland Posts: 689 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	For kids under age 12 or so the catalyst is plausible, as much as Power Rangers and other violent TV shows.