Violent games lead to more violence?

[4RM3D]

(Realistically) violent games have been up for discussion ever since the release of Mortal Kombat 1. Some studies say people who play violent games become more violent themselves. Other studies say there is no relation between violent games and violent people. It's been bothering me for a while and there is something I want to say about it.

Why do we play games? Entertainment, experiences, challenges, killing time. There are many reasons, but I want to look at one reason in particular: creating genuine experiences.

Lets start with racing games. I can't remember any headlines stating: "Deadly Traffic Accident After Playing ". I can't remember any official body (government) banning racing games (no, GTA or SS do not count). Heck, the standard racing game doesn't go past the age requirement of 12 years old. Point is: racing games are fine. Even though you can do insane things [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pure_%28video_game%29], people do not start driving more reckless because of games.

So, what's up with violent games then?
If violent games lead to more violence, shouldn't racing games lead to more traffic accidents?

Lets look a bit further. Shouldn't violent games be a deterrent to committing actual violence? I admit I occasionally feel like going on a killing spree in GTA or SS, but after that I feel much more calm. It is because of the games I have no interest of trying it out in real life. And before you throw in "but a mentally unstable person will...", I'll stop you there. Because in that case you can't blame the game.

TL;DR:
- If violent games lead to more violence, shouldn't racing games lead to more traffic accidents?
- Shouldn't violent games be a deterrent to committing actual violence?

 

[4RM3D]

No one has an opinion on this matter?

I guess I'll go on a killing spree instead. *picks up Carmageddon for the iPhone*

 

[Brotha Desmond]

Violent people are attracted to violent games. If people don't get an outlet in games they will look for it in other places.

 

[CrazyCapnMorgan]

So, is it relevant to say that video games were invented after World Wars 1 & 2, and every major religious battle/war before 1960?

On that note, when video games surpass "God" as the leading cause of human death...I'll stop playing my legalized dogfighting known as Pokemon. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm battling Micheal Vick and his Fighting-type team...

 

[Call me Baz]

I think one of the main points this racing/killing game comparison hasn't been made is that as a general rule 12-15 year olds don't go driving cars. If they do, everyone expects a tragic heap of twisted metal to be the outcome.

Murder is relatively easy, with (US) guns and (UK) knives easily obtainable from a certain place in a house.

Not to mention that experienced drivers would be more likely to avoid an accident even with an inept driver, as learning to drive is avoiding crashes.

The same can't be said for living. Living isn't avoiding murder for the most part, soldiers do not count as they haven't been soldiers since they were born.

TLR violence is easier than driving

 

[Alcoholidayer]

I don't think it has an influence anyway. I don't think a naturally psychopathic person is likely to get any catharsis from killing lots of virtual doods. Nor do I think a sane, normal person is likely to become a serial killer after going on a murderous rampage in GTA just cause he was feeling annoyed or put upon.

I do think that violent games (and any media for that matter) have a desensitizing effect. Which means I am no longer as affected by disturbing things as I should be, but that doesn't change my perception of right and wrong.

 

[Verlander]

The point of a Gran Turismo isn't to cause crashes, it's to race.

The point of Grand Theft Auto is to be a criminal, and there are options to rape, murder, and steal.

The point of Need for Speed isn't to cause crashes, it's to race.

The point of Mortal Kombat is to fight, and there are options to graphically kill your opponent.

The point of Mario Kart isn't to cause cra... well, it is, but in a funny way. Like how the people who oppose Call of Duty don't necessarily have an aversion to cream pie fights.

That's the difference.

 

[Naeras]

There are studies that show that violent video games can, potentially, affect people with personality disorders and thus potentially be one of several factors that leads this person to commit violence. To my knowledge, it doesn't lead to violence by itself, but for the minority with pre-existing conditions, games can exasperate that condition to some degree.

For the rest of us, it's fairly harmless. It's just that video games are the currently most convenient "THIS WILL CORRUPT OUR CHILDREN"-trend for people to bash on, a role it inherited from stuff like rock 'n roll, movies, comic books, action figures and masturbation.

 

[Vault101]

I think it is a little niave to belive there is NO effect

however we are affected by ALL media and not just videogames

 

[Brotha Desmond]

Violent people are attracted to violent games. If people don't get an outlet in games they will look for it in other places.

So by that logic, non-violent people would be repelled by violent games and wouldn't play them?

That's not what I meant. When you hear about "violence due to games" is only because those people were already violent before they played the game. Also it is in human nature to be violent, to an extent. Many people are able to repress it to a point where it only comes out in yelling, but people are naturally attracted to violence.

 

[dyre]

I don't think any of us are really in a position to make a definitive statement on the subject. We're not psychologists, and we haven't put any scientific research into the subject. I guess we're somewhat like politicians in that manner, using our biased "common sense" to combat their biased "common sense." At least ours is grounded in some experience though.

So basically, needs moar science

captcha: you are happy
I guess I am

 

[Bobic]

Fun fact: After the release of Fast and the Furious movies there tends to be an increase in street racing. So maybe there is an increase in dangerous driving from driving games.

http://cwanamaker.hubpages.com/hub/Illegal-Street-Racing

DEVIL'S ADVOCATE AWAY!

 

[Aaron Sylvester]

No one has an opinion on this matter?

No one has an opinion because the topic has already been beaten to death by countless people who have done far more reasearch into the subject and NO, violent games don't lead to more violence.
If it was the case then every child who grew up playing with toy guns pretending to shoot their friends (i.e. every boy EVER) should grow up to be a raging murderer.

 

[Hagi]

I believe that in many of these studies anger is mistakenly believed to be violence. Anger and may lead to violence, but it is itself not violence. Not whilst restrained and I don't think it's too much to ask to expect people to be able to manage and control their own anger.

Games are, at their core, a competitive activity. Be it against other players or against the game itself. You can succeed at things in the game and you can fail at them.

As with any other competitive activity succeeding can create feelings of elation and achievement, a prime motivator in playing games, whilst failing can create feelings of anger. It's no different than a sporting match or a passionate debate.

And just like in sports, board games and debates there are sore losers who don't have a grip on their anger. Who, when failing at what they were trying, turn violent. They rudely throw the board to the floor, they attempt dirty tackles on their opponents or they remain in a tense and aggressive mood for a long time after the activity.

And just like with those sports, board games and debates this isn't a failing of those activities themselves. It's a failing of the participants who are incapable of managing their own anger.

 

[DoPo]

Violent people are attracted to violent games. If people don't get an outlet in games they will look for it in other places.

So by that logic, non-violent people would be repelled by violent games and wouldn't play them?

That statement is a complete non sequitur. It hasn't got any connection with the above, and yet starts with "By that logic".

- If violent games lead to more violence, shouldn't racing games lead to more traffic accidents?

Not necessarily. Take into account that 1. the racing games are not "traffic accident games" (at least some of the time) 2. as you pointed out they aren't only for grownups - you need a car (something a minor, for example, would be very hard to get their hands onto) while violence doesn't need any extra tools 3. diving IRL has a lot more restrictions, monitoring and control over than the act of "not being violent" - I can go and punch somebody right away, to cause a traffic accident, I have to plan a lot forward. The two are simply not equivelent the way you suggest.

- Shouldn't violent games be a deterrent to committing actual violence?

Not necessarily. [http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/psp-845960.pdf] That's for lyrics only, but you get the general idea, I hope.

No one has an opinion on this matter?

No one has an opinion because the topic has already been beaten to death by countless people who have done far more reasearch into the subject and NO, violent games don't lead to more violence.

But mostly this (although the conclusion is not exactly so clear cut).

 

[Legion]

You aren't getting much response because 99% of people already know that the "Games cause violence" argument is a load of crap.

The only people who still say that kind of stuff are the scaremongering media trying to get attention, and scientists who choose to ignore all of the facts that disprove their idiotic theories.

 

[Innegativeion]

I remember somewhere reading that after the worldwide drop in violence-related deaths that occurred as a result of WW II, the rate continued to drop every year to the modern day, that rate remaining completely uncorrelated to the invention of videogames.

I mean, I guess some murderers are found out later to have enjoyed media that involves violence. NO FRIKKEN WAI GUYS!

It's like how some people were APPALLED that that one shooter was trying to emulate the joker... means batman causes death, right? obviously.