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First off. The report links violence in video games to "increases in aggressive behavior, aggressive cognitions and aggressive affect, and decreases in prosocia

• dahart 11y ago
  You're absolutely right, and FWIW, I'm perfectly clearly on the distinction between correlation and causation, or lack thereof. But tell me this: if they're not talking about violence, why do the words "violent", "violence" and "violently" occur 23 times in that 1-page summary? The root "aggress" occurs at less than half that rate. They spend a lot of time implying, suggesting, and speculating on links between "aggressive behavior" and "violent behavior." They were indeed careful to say the research doesn't support a conclusion about violence, however this summary is clearly written to induce the fear that the kind of aggression they're talking about and violent behaviors might be linked. “Rather, it is the accumulation of risk factors that tends to lead to aggressive *or violent behavior*. The research reviewed here demonstrates that violent video game use is one such risk factor.” “What researchers need to do now is conduct studies that look at the effects of video game play in people at risk for aggression *or violence* due to a combination of risk factors." (emphasis mine) 2- They raise "concerns" and conclude that action needs to be taken. The single conclusive action they suggest is one that I just provided evidence for already haven taken place on a large scale for many years. 3- Why are we talking about correlation and causation, when there's no correlation in the first place? That's the root of my question above. Yes, they're only claiming "aggression" and dancing around "violent" behavior, but they explicitly state more research need to be done to see if there are links. So, what is the concern, and why is there a need for research when in reality there is an overall inverse correlation between violent games and violent behavior? * edited for formatting
  • dahart 11y ago
    And, BTW, let me add that as a concerned parent of children who's lives have been taken over by video games, I can accept and agree with the statement that when kids play video games, they get more "aggressive". Temporarily. The get more aggressive for a while. My kids and their friends play Super Smash Bros for a few hours, and then when they stop and go outside, they play fight for a while, they act out Super Smash Bros. I remember playing Wipeout XL in college and feeling like I was driving around on a race track when I'd get into a real car after that. My driving record, however, is spotless and I generally drive like a grandpa. Playing racing games made me temporarily fast & swervy. My kids playing fighting games makes them temporarily punchy. But overall, I haven't witnessed a permanent behavioral change. My concern with this report isn't whether it is right or wrong, I can believe that "aggressive behavior" increases when playing games, especially games that require aggressive behavior to win. My concern is with how it is being used, and what it is being used to imply. They spend a lot of time talking about violence to say they're not talking about violence directly, which just draws an implication between aggression and violence. They didn't, however, spend several paragraphs talking about how there might be a link between aggression after playing games and people becoming successful entrepreneurs, aggressive stock traders, world class athletes, or renowned scientists. Those are all occupations that require "aggressive" behavior and for which "aggressive" behavior is celebrated.
    • mfoy_ 11y ago
      There has been so much speculation and FUD surrounding a potential connection between violent video games and violent crime; it's tempting and easy to blame things like mass shootings on violent video games. I appreciate you're not doing that Personally I do not believe there is a noteworthy connection between violent games and violent crimes. Anecdotal, but I myself played plenty of violent games and I'm a borderline pacifist. I don't even kill bugs if I can help it. (Exceptions made for things that try to eat me or my food...) I just enjoy the competitive nature of the games. My only point in all this is that critiquing this study because there's a negative correlation between violent video game usage and violent crimes on a societal level is contributing to uncertainty and doubt parts of the FUD. Rather, I would critique the report itself for appearing (as you noted) to be fairly FUDsy and as other commentators have noted, not particularly rigourous.