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Arguments That Video Games Promote Violence

One age-old argument is whether or not video games and other forms of media cause youths to act in violent ways. Indeed, there are very convincing arguments to suggest that video games with violent content actually cause the players to act out in more aggressive manners.

Physical and Mental Effects
- According to a study by Sandra L. Calvert and Siu-Lan Tan entitled "Impact of virtual reality on young adults' physiological arousal and aggressive thoughts: Interaction versus observation," people who play video games with violent content can experience higher levels of hostile feelings and aggressive thoughts after playing these sorts of games. Additionally, they have been reported to have higher heart rates than those who do not play games of a violent nature. These factors can effectively drive a person into an angry state, and clearly the hostility and aggression can result in violent behaviors.
Aggression Causing Behavior
- In addition to the direct effects of playing a violent video game, a study conducted by Karen E. Dill, Ph.D. and Craig A. Anderson, Ph.D., found that individuals who played violent video games in junior high school and high school frequently had problems in their college careers by getting low grades. Such problems are certainly a source of frustration for many students. Feeling frustrated and fed up with oneself can cause aggressive behavior.
Treatment of Others
- Violent video games can affect the self physically and mentally, but they can also affect how the individual treats other people. For example, if a youngster is out and someone accidentally steps on his toe, he might choose to respond in an aggressive manner. A study by Karen E. Dill and Craig A. Anderson suggested that these video games taught aggression as a proper way of dealing with conflicts and problematic situations.
Punishment
- In another study by Karen E. Dill Ph.D. and Craig A. Anderson, Ph.D., the researchers found that the players of a violent video game, Wolfenstein 3D, reacted to opponents differently than players of a nonviolent video game, Met. College students were the subject of the study. Those playing the violent video game would punish the opponents for a longer amount of time, thereby showing that violent video games give youngsters a space where brutal and continuous physical punishment is acceptable.

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