Comments on: Episode 115 (Video): Violent Video Games – What Does the Research Say?

By: The Psych Files Podcast « meme2012

The Psych Files Podcast « meme2012 — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 17:00:20 +0000

[...] Episode 115 (Video): Violent Video Games – What Does the Research Say? [...]

By: iwtryeveryday

iwtryeveryday — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 21:30:00 +0000

You said you’ve played violent video games for years and you’ve never killed anybody but your situation is different from those of many young people exposed to violent video games. So are you saying your socio-economic standing, your family upbringing, etc., counteracted any violent tendencies the games may have instilled or fostered in you? Aren’t you then saying that sociological factors are what decide whether violent video games harmfully affect someone? It’s not the games themselves but the context in which the games are played? Kids reared in poverty, in disruptive families, with poor schools, affected by racism etc, with fewer hopes or opportunities are more likely to be negatively affected by violent video games? Is that what you’re saying? Isn’t that like saying kids who are beaten are more likely to hit? Kids with alcoholic parents are more likely to be alcoholics?

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:13:34 +0000

Thanks Pat. Yes – research on the effects of video games is HUGE. I picked what I thought were two interesting articles from that research, but there’s much more going on. I’m thinking of re-visiting the topic again in a future episode. Glad you liked this one.

By: Pat C.

Pat C. — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:49:23 +0000

This was an amazing episode. The information givin was more than I could have ever thought possible to actually see how big of an issue this can be.

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 23:16:14 +0000

Peter: yes, I have seen some of Chris Ferguson’s articles. In fact, he got in touch with me and sent me a couple of his articles. I read one of the in detail and I wasn’t convinced. However, I’ve been meaning to read a few more than just one. As you say above, this whole issue of the effects of violent video is one tangled mess. However, I’ll try to follow-up with another episode on it. Thanks for the comment!

By: Peter

Peter — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:48:18 +0000

Hi Michael,
I know I’m about a year late commenting on this but I just recently started listening to your podcast and I’m loving it so far. And this topic happens to be something I’m passionate about.
I wonder if you’ve come across the Christopher Ferguson articles that came out earlier this year (although probably after your podcast)? One was a direct comment on the Anderson study you cited. To be fair, I’ve only read summaries of the Ferguson studies so I can’t comment on how well carried out they were, but the points he makes carry some weight with me. The point is, more or less, that the correlation between violent video games and aggressive behavior is weak in most kids, and that in the small proportion of kids where the relationship is strong it could be just as likely that kids with aggressive tendencies may be more likely to play more violent video games in the first place.
I certainly don’t think we should throw out Carnagie’s results, but I also don’t think lower anxiety while watching violence equates to actually committing real world violence or even as a serious risk factor for committing real world violence.
The research will keep coming on this topic I’m sure. I have my biases but I’m still eager to learn where else the research takes us.
Keep up the good work, Michael. I’ll try commenting on more recent articles in the future, too.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:13:14 +0000

i do however agree that you are at risk (possibly) when your child is at a friends but Its the parents initiative and responsibility to meet the parents, talk with them to see what their values are and if they are on the same page as you are

By: anonymous

anonymous — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:10:10 +0000

i do think there is a big difference between violent video games and TV or movie violence. First off even though games are improving their graphics to a very impressive level its still not on the same realism level as TV and Movies. Second what is in your hand as you play a video game … A CONTROLLER even kids can understand that there is a difference between ccontrolling a pixelated character on your TV to do what you want it to do and real life. if you dont think so i challenge you to give a kid a controller and have them make their parents let them eat ice cream and candy for breakfast . Now instead of fiercer age restrictions on games lets challenge the parents to i dont know PARENT their kids instead of taking the lazy way out and depend on outside forces to do it for them. Here are some suggestions 1) know your childs maturity level it helps to know if your child is mature enough to play a violent video game and understand it as that, a video game. 2) new age consoles have family settings allowing the parent to controll the content being read on the console via a number scheme i.e. 3-very nonviolent material 8- very violent material
3) why dont you just hold on to your kids games and dish them out accordingly that way you can controll what your child plays and for how long

By: Derek

Derek — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:59:55 +0000

@anonymous Do you admit there’s a difference in experience between playing (ie directing an avatar and performing violent acts and getting actively rewarded for it) a violent game and watching a violent TV show or listening to violent music? The involvement is different and more immersive for a game.

I certainly agree that there is a lot of violence on TV and in music, far more than we really should have, so there’s no argument there. At least with TV they can try to filter exposure with time-slots, and they should do something similar with music, although I don’t notice it as much. Frankly I think the violence on TV is too graphic (CSI & other crime dramas, especially) and there’s too much prudishness (?) about sex and sexuality (but that’s another kettle of fish).

What would you suggest instead of an age restriction on video games? They’re reasonably easy to get around, I agree, although they should stop underage people from purchasing the games in the first place, at least. After that, parents have a responsibility to try to protect and educate their children. If parents are disinterested enough to simply buy and let kids play all manner of violent games then that’s their prerogative and their fault. They can’t control (necessarily) what happens at a mate’s place, but then the mate’s parents should be watching too.

By: anonymous

anonymous — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:58:30 +0000

Are u serious. you all act so worried about younger kids playing violent video games but seem to ignore the fact that the movies of today are so much more violent and REAL than any videogame out there. and what about the music that REAL people sing or rap about that is very violent and lets not forget the cartoon violence. what im getting at is there is violence everywhere now you can either start pointing fingers or step up and teach the youth that there is a difference between REAL violence and fake violence. and for those people suggesting at fiercer age restrictions for kids and their videogames just remember back when you were a kid did something as stupid as an age restriction stop you from getting something you really wanted. if you answered yes than you are not part of the major population