Violent Video Games:
and the Affects on the Brain.
Carolyn Spencer
Biological Psychology
Dr. Ann Fulop
November 23, 2008
Violent Video Games:
And the Effects on the Brain
Have you seen the video games on the market today? Isn’t it ironic how these colorful, brutish and intense visual images are directed towards children? These images are exciting enough to catch anyone’s eyes, especially our youth. According to David Walsh, a child psychologist who’s co-authored a study connecting violent video games to physical aggression, children cannot distinguish the difference in fantasy and real life until age six or seven. Therefore, these visual images have enormous power on them. These games are not spectator games, rather they are simulations and consequently, simulations are designed to zero in on the players instincts, which helps to build habits that are quickly and increasingly imitated. This very form of imitation tends to create aggressive behavior out in the real world. Although the gaming industry, a $10 billion a year industry argues that video games are for motor movement and educational skills, this paper will demonstrate a correlation in violent video games and aggressive behavior in children and adults, by illustrating:
Types of research studies.
What methods are used?
How exposure to violent games and aggression are correlated.
What parts of the brain are affected?
Video media more pervasive.
Newer research.
Can video gaming have addictive potential?
What brain parts are affected by this addiction?
I will also share comments from the video game industry, however, keep in mind that they are a $10 Billion industry out to sell a product, seeming not to be concerned about behavior issues in our youth.
Research Study 1:
Behavioral Effect
Psychologists, at Iowa State University, have provided evidence of the affects of violent...