I have been thinking about about this issue for awhile. When I was younger and much more into gaming I thought all arguments for video games changing behavior were ridiculous. As I grown up I have started to realize that everything you do changes you a little, games included. I still really believed that video games like Grand Theft Auto (GTA), didn't increase violent tendencies or make me want to go kill people. After buying Guitar Hero, the discussion was reopened as the game renewed my interest in wanting to learn an instrument. It made me want to take time to learn the drums again. The question raises is If Guitar Hero changes my behavior and makes me more interested in learning an instrument, does that mean violent games like GTA are slightly increasing my urge to engage in violent behavior?
While there has been a ton of research trying to prove the link between video games and violence, [2] including research from a Standford PhD supported by the APA [2]. There has also been contradictory research saying games do not increase violence [2]. Some of the claimed links have been debunked, by an MIT Professor. I would say there is slightly more research supporting the link than against it, because of this the law has looked at a number of solutions including taxing violent video games or punishing parents that allow children to play violent games. I want to cover my thoughts on how I think video games do slightly affect behavior. I don't propose any crazy restrictions, parents should be responsible for their their kids and be aware of what they are up to. Even if a link was completely accepted, taking into account the deaths caused by video games (2 or 3 a year) there are many things that have caused more deaths than video games.
I think there are a few points to consider, about games affecting behavior. How based in reality a game is. Is the action in the game a substitute for the real behavior? The players intent and belief as they place themselves in the game world. Lastly if they see the assumed role is something the player would actually strive for in reality or actively avoid in the real world.
I think the point about similarity to reality is important. If the game's world is so different from ours, I don't think it even make sense for us to attempt to emulate it or have our thoughts about behaviors altered by the game. For instance, Mario which involves eating mushrooms and running around jumping on turtles and evil mushrooms. This game doesn't make me want to get high on mushrooms and run around the world jumping on things and killing turtles. I would say that it doesn't affect younger more impressionable children that way at all either.
In some games with fighting like in StreetFighter or GTA the violence can sometimes a substitute for actions you can't and never would want to make in the real world. In modern society I think we are constantly trying to repress our aggression and violence. Our fight or flight responses made a lot more sense in the past than they do now, but it doesn't mean we aren't tempted to punch someone once in awhile for doing something incredibly stupid. After an incredibly frustrating day, I in the past on occasion had run around GTA shooting everything. This was a substitute or a way to release my anger in a controlled manner and not releasing it in the real world. Is this a healthy substitute? Is this any different from a therapist telling you to punch a pillow, screaming out loud, or pretend you are yelling at someone from your past to get some closure? If you can't substitute games, what is an acceptable substitute?
Some games have larger goals than GTA, but still in theory are about violence. A good example of this is StarCraft, which you simulate a general commanding vast armies to eradicate all of another race. A War simulator then should have the same effects as GTA? I highly doubt it as StarCraft is far more like playing a game of chess than playing GTA. I doubt games like chess, checkers, or StarCraft really have any effect on behaviors except possibly making a person think more about long term strategies and effects. I think the player doesn't personify or have any emotional connection or view with the characters in StarCraft. In GTA since you are a single person interacting with a city, with individuals that react to you, the player is more likely to put them selves into that characters role. In GTA the intent is to make you feel as if you are that character running around the city, in StarCraft their isn't really individual characters to relate to.
The last point is tricky, but I still think it holds some value. The closer an activity is to my current outlook on the real world the larger the effect is likely to be. For instance I would love to be a competent drummer, I don't ever want to run around a city shooting people. Since the first idea fits in my basis of reality I am more likely to identify with the activity I am experiencing. The concept of having a gun and running around and shooting people is so ludicrous to me that my association and my ability to absorb that behavior seems less likely. Now this means that games themselves effect each individual differently based on their life experiences. Since this is true in nearly all other forms of media I assume it holds true for gaming. The issue is because you relate and react to games differently does it still affect your overall behavior the same or to the same extent?
After reading through my thoughts above, it probably becomes clear that I do think video games can affect your behavior. They can make you more or less accepting to certain ideas. They can likely increase your interest in music, or make you slightly less sensitive to the thought of shooting someone. Does that mean that parents or the government should ban all violent video games? No, certainly not. If games were to go so would, books, music, films, and the freedom of speech. It does mean that I see good reason to allow stricter enforcement of game ratings and who can purchase violent games (games rated 18+, but nearly anyone can actually purchase). It does mean as with many things in life I will slightly alter my actions to reflect my current thoughts on gaming.
I have started to believe a bit more that you become the things around you. This is probably a bit due to my slightly hippy girlfriend always wanting to avoid negative energy, but it is also based on life experience. So if I surround myself with negative games full of violence and dark and depressing imagery I will likely slide a bit more into a negative outlook on the world. Some people try to turn their back on everything negative in life, but that is no way to live either. Unfortunately all the depressing things in the world can't be avoided because there are real tragedies and problems that must be addressed and they must be addressed with eye open an knowledge of the issue. One way to gain experience and knowledge of the realities of the world is books, movies, and yes even video games. Games like GTA that expose people to an entire criminal world.
I think I will try to avoid playing as many of the GTA type of games. I will stick to a little less real world style of FPS like Half-Life where I am fighting evil aliens. I will try to play more of the happy and meaningless games like Rock Band, World of Goo, and StarCraft. I won't quit anything entirely, namely because I believe in everything in moderation, but also sometimes running around shooting everything is just a damn good time. I just enjoyed some Rock Band and I think later tonight I will play some StarCraft see you in the games.
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