Literature review
There are many articles on the internet about the connection between violence and crime, and playing violent video games. Below are some quotes from people and how they feel about the connection. Some are about users that are susceptible to aggression through playing video games and some are about how violence video games are more of a concern than violence on TV.
Martin N. states in his article, in the ‘Telegraph’ newspaper that; after interviewing people aged between 12 and 15 he found from their opinions; there is more chance that violence in video games will have more of an impact on young committing violent crimes than the impact of violence on TV.
‘Two thirds of those aged between 12 and 15 said that violence in games had more of an impact on behaviour than violence in television or films, the study by Ofcom found.’
Martin N. (Telegraph) 16th May 2008
Young men that may have a tendency to be violent or have committed crimes already may have a naturally violent or aggressive personality.
‘One study reveals that young men who are habitually aggressive may be especially vulnerable to the aggression-enhancing effects of repeated exposure to violent games.’
Gummer A. has written an article about the difference of violence on TV and the violence in video games. He believes that the violence in video games is more of a concern than the violence on TV. He doesn’t state than this has been proven though any kind of test or research. He believes that violence in video games is more of a concern because the player is making choices to be violent to achieve an objective. Violence on TV how ever is only being watched and doesn’t allow the viewer to make decisions.
‘The presence of violence in games is believed to be of more concern, than the violence seen on TV. This is because the player is active and making decisions to use violence in the game to achieve an objective, whereas the TV viewer is passively watching the actions done by someone else to someone else’
Gummer A. 22nd October 2007
Anne D. and Walling M.D. have written an article. They have said that video games have been proven to be linked with antisocial and aggressive behaviour in younger people. Although this has been proven they believe that family disruption and parental abuse will have more of an impact on young people’s aggression and behaviour. They have also stated that young people are susceptible to being more racist and sexist through the influence of video games. Although video games may be influencing such behaviour as racism and being sexist, they state that other authors believe that video games maybe a good outlet and release for the aggression they have.
‘Violent video games have been linked to antisocial and aggressive behaviour in children and adolescents, although other factors such as family disruption and parental abuse or neglect are more predictive of youth violence and delinquency. Other negative effects, such as reinforcement of racist or sexist stereotypes, have also been associated with use of video games. Conversely, some authors suggest that video games may provide a safe outlet for aggression and frustration.’
Anne D. Walling M.D. October 2001
