Yes, media violence does affect today's youth. This article shares many experiments that have been completed and all of the experiments give the answer “yes” in relation to this question. For example, this article states, "Recent meta-analyses have demonstrated that playing violent video games can increase physiological arousal and anger." (Nicholas L. Carnagey, page 179). On the next page of this article, a line reads, "...exposure to virtual violence produces desensitization to actual violence, which has been linked to increased aggression and reduced helping." (Nicholas L. Carnagey, page 180). Other points are made in this article such as decreased regulation of aggression, different physiological reactions to real violence, suppression of effective information processing, and the lack of ability to differentiate fantasy from reality. With these experiments and observations, how could anyone say that media violence does not affect the youth of today? The youth are greatly impacted and, in turn, so is society. Violent media, specifically violent video games, are negative for all of society. Those types of media should be reduced to nonexistence because of their awful effects and negative results that damage everyone in this global society.
I disagree with your statement about "how could anyone say that media violence does not affect the youth of today" because I believe that it's all about the way you interpret the reading. Kids all around the world play violent video games and you don't see all of them committing violent crimes? The only ones you see doing that aren't ones playing video games, it's the ones who grew up in bad homes.
Although I see your point, there is also another side to the arguement as well. Personally, when I think about how prevelant violence really is in reality compared to how this article depicts it, I don't see too much of a similarity. Furthermore, you stated that "those types of media should be reduced to nonexistence" which in theory would be nice but just because that element is removed doesn't mean that the negitive effects will halt due to the overall tendancy of people to go against what they are told to do or not to do.
I respect your beliefes on this point but I must agree with Baliey and Kelli that when you said "those types of media should be reduced to nonexistence" is controversial. We have the freedom to play or watch whatever we want. If you don't want to play them then don't, but there is more to violence than just video games.
Thank you for all the comments. I know my statement, "those types of media should be reduced to nonexistance," is contraversial, but this is a contraversial topic with fair game to any opinion, inlcuding my own. Most of the kids who play violent video games are not necessarily the ones commiting violent crimes, but they are the ones with reduced resistance to and avoidance of real violence, struggles in situations that involve violence, and a much different and more violent mind set. I understand that violence is not dependent on violent media or any one factor, but removing as many factors as possible will give us and those who come after us a better opportunity to have safe, happy lives. This is the same for people who are negative examples and for other negative situations. We have a duty to help others and be good examples, not to be violent and negative examples through our actions or the actions we depict in violent media.
i think you are right on removing as many factors possible to increase safer lives for the community. Fact of the matter is, violent games have more negative influences than positive and should definitely be reduced to the youth, if not eliminated.
Yes I think media violence does affect today's youth but only to a certain extent. It is arguable through the increase in violence in schools and other public places by youth that the media is affecting them. The article "Media Violence and Social Neuroscience: New Questions and New Opportunities" has several different aspects, elements, and types of media that affect youth as well as examples that provide support for the yes answer to this question. Although I am in agreement that media does have a slight influence on youth, the article is a very one sided opinion. Just like anything, I'm sure that there have also been experiments that have disproven this as well. Furthermore, it is also easily arguable that just because a child plays a game that doesn't mean that they are going to loose all control and start behaving like the characters in the game. Look at students in our school for example. Many of them play games and they are not behaving in the same manner as the characters. I can see both sides of this arguement and feel that the media does have a slight influence on youth, but not to the extent that the article has portrayed it.
Your comments are vaild, and I agree with many of your points. I agree that many of the students in our school who play violent video games or watch violent movies or participate in any other violent media are not depicting the same violence as the media they witness. Even though I agree with this, I also see that violence is not only portrayed in outward actions. It is easily seen through the comments these students make that they have violent tendencies, even if it is not to an extreme extent. I have heard casual side comments like "I want to kill him" or "I really hate that kid." These sort of comments may be normal or expected of teens today, but they are violent and thus the tendencies are present. The students may not be this way just because of violent media, but I know that violent media is just another factor to add to the pile of reasons behind violence and violent tendencies. Thanks for hearing what I had to say and thank you for sharing your opinion as well.
I agree with all your points. Violent video games do have an influence on the player,but to an extent like you said. Just because they are exposed to it doesn't mean that they are automatically going to act on it. I also agree with what you said on how the article is portraying the games a lot worse than they really are.
For the most part, I disagree with this article. However, I do believe there are many factors that may affect and person or child that take part in violent media. For example the author states, "Most of this research has focused on the potential effects of violent media on arousal" (pg. 179) the word potential in this statement signifies that most of the experiments conducted have proven theory, not facts. In addition, the caption of "Figure 1" the word "correlation" is used and in the world of statistics, "correlation" is a word that emphasizes some sort of relationship but not a direct association. On page 178 of the article the author mentions the event at Columbine High School in respect to the incident being linked to violent video games. Many incidents and awful events like this are extremely rare and have multiple factors then just violent media. In conclusion, parents and adults should evaluate their children and themselves on problems such as maturity, anger issues, and any other factors that violent media could increase.
I agree! Just like how the shooting in Columbine High School was linked to violent video games I'm sure it had many other factors. It could have had something to do with what was going on at home or how they grew up and such, and have nothing at all to do with the video games they played.
I also tied AP Stats into this :p. I don't understand how they can just assume that violent video games are the cause of school killings like in Columbine High School and other violent crime sprees. Did they ask the killers, 'Have you played Grand Theft Auto recently?" If yes, then why hasn't the rest of the United States gone on killing sprees? There are more factors than just violent media.
Thanks Bailey, I personally thought the article was a little biased. Taner its a simple fact. Us three can understand because we pay violent video games. Should that make others weary of us because we might flip? Not at all.
Yes, I do agree with the claim "Does violence in the media affect youth?" and here is why. On the one hand, we have vast amount of examples, where exposure to violent media and to violent video games had a colossal impact on youth(p178, Columbine High School). Moreover, these cases were scientifically proven by scientists. One of the recent experiments had shown, that violence changes ACC(Anterior cingulate cortex)which is responsible for aggressive behavior reduction(p180 Sterzer; Botvinick; Matthews et al., 2003-2005). On the other hand, however, the way people perceive violence varies. From my personal experience,I know a lot of people who have been exposed to violent games and TV show, and I have never seen any violent acts towards anybody from these people. As we can clearly see, violent media affect people, though, in my opinion, human can live in a violent world and be totally in a healthy state of mind; it remains one of the issues, society needs to deal with.
I totally agree with you Rim! I believe that in the Columbine High School there was other factors to why it happened then just impact of video games even if the scientists proved it. I also know people who play violent video games and TV shows and they are not violent in any way.
People do perceive violence on different levels. Some kids are not affected by violent media, while other kids think it's the 'cool' thing to do. Although the cases have been proven that violent media had a colossal impact on youth, how would that be tested when different kids perceive violent media on different levels? Scientifically proving that violent media affects kids will be extremely hard. Some kids might have been raised to love violent media and to be violent to get what you want. Other kids believe that being polite will get you what you want.
I agree with you Rim, I know a lot of people who play violent video games but they never show any aggressiveness outside of their "playing time". Most kids that play violent games are just kids being kids, they do it for the fun. As far as video games being proven to impact kids minds, well yeah they do but it all goes back on to how the kid is and what he has been taught and how they react to what they are exposed to.
Rim your stance is a little difficult to understand, but I am going to assume you feel that violent media has negative effects on today's youth. I disagree with this based on personal experience and the skewed article, as it were. The information you express is false in the way that the experiments conducted by the scientists simply prove theory not factual information. In the article, "...not enough information..." is mentioned several times proving to the reader violent media is only a factor in those who are not mature enough nor have been taught the difference between right and wrong.
I agree with the statement that violence in the media affects youth. As the article states, there has been extensive research on this topic. All of the evidence is supportive of the above statement. For example, violent video games have been linked to several school killings, such as the one in Columbine High School. (Carnagey, Anderson, Bartholow; Media Violence and Social Neuroscience) Speaking from my own experience with video games and violence, I know that I'm not the nicest person to be around when I'm losing, but that's with video games in general, not necessarily the violent ones. I also believe that violence in the media will only effect those who let it effect them. I play violent video games and enjoy a good action movie now and then, but I know how to control myself. I don't go around re-enacting what I just played or watched on my classmates. I think that having a good sense of right and wrong is an important factor when looking at how violence in the media affects us.
I completely agree with you. I like the fact that you said you don't reenact what you played because not everyone is as easily or deeply influenced by violent video games. I think you are the one of many who prove that violent video games aren't so negatively influencing the youth.
Thanks, I think that if you're in control of your actions, then violence in the media doesn't have that great of an effect on you. I liked in your post how you said that there are underlying factors to how violence affects us. I agree with that completely.
I agree with the point that you made about your own personal life saying that you know how to control yourself and i think that some people (violent ones) dont know how to handle real life situations and distinguish the difference between their own life and a simulated game.
I mostly disagree with this article. The article gives facts that tests have proven that heart rate and skin conductance decrease when a violent media is being watched or played (pg 180), but I don’t think those tests mean anything. Your heart rate and skin conductance could change by the way someone looks at you on the street, or from something you friends said to you. I believe that a person could watch all the violent media they wanted to, but the way they reacted after, is all about self control. In the article “Media Violence and Social Neuroscience” it states, “…exposure to virtual violence produces desensitization to actual violence, which has been linked to increased aggression and reduced helping.” (pg 180). I agree that when playing ANY video game you get aggressive but that is your competitiveness coming out, not some sign that you’re going to or become more susceptible to commit a violent crime. Memory and actions are also associated with what we watch/play yes, but I don’t think they are responsible for a crime you choose to commit either. If someone plays a violent video game and then goes and kills someone I don’t believe we should be able to blame the video game, I believe the person is responsible. Sure something from the past could have affected that but I don’t think it was the violent video games or violent media. People everywhere play violent games and watch violent media and they don’t all commit violent crimes. The way you interpret the violence is your own deal, but I don’t believe it leads to youth violence.
I like how you respect other peoples opnion in this passage while still holding your own position. You had very strong voice. Video games could not be the only reason for the violent acts. I agree with your stand point.
Thank you! I do respect other peoples opinion because I myself play violent video games and you dont see me shooting up the school. If I were to then it would be becuase of something that happened earlier on in my life or something like that.
Bailey I would be deeply concerned if you of all people were to shoot up the school.... haha!!! I do like your comment about the aggressiveness just being competitiveness, there are a lot of competitive people in the world when it comes to work, sports, or just about anything you do in life!
I believe that media violence is not the cause of violence in the community. Many Neuro surgeons play first person shooter games. They do this to help increase focus as well as to steady hand eye coordination. Violent video games do not cause the kids to be aggressive, if you look at tests done in the past you do not see if the subject already had violent tendencies, you only see that they do in that point in time. When you look into the history of kids with violent tendencies you see bad homes were people probably could not afford a video game with any amount of violence. I believe you should look into how the video games help the children detach from a bad situation teaching them what to do in a crises and how to be calm. I believe that we should look at all the statistics again and see what subject had the past history documented before violent video games and their history. No absolutes should be made. Kids who are affected with the violent tendencies might just be the anomaly.
One key point that you specified was the outside environment that may affect youth besides just the media. I think it is also crucial to examine that before reaching conclusions on whether media is really the true influencing factor on youth or if it is a combination of elements.
The life befor the test must be taken into consideration to get good hard facts. I am glad that you see that we need more than just current position the person is in.
I think all of your points are accurate, but i do not agree that violent video games have no influence on people. Because of how realistic video games are, people get ideas and sometimes act apon them. But very good article!
I agree in some points of your comment. I think there is a lot of factors that can influence violent attitudes. However, I also agree with Taylor, violent video games can be one of those factors and the importance of them varies from one person to another.
Yes,I do mostly agree with the statement, violence in media affects most youth. In the article, it did state that some young people get ideas due to what they are watching on tv and playing violent video games. (page 179) The article also states that violent video games temporarily increases aggressive thoughts, aggressive affect, and physiological arousal. (page 179) Because modern day video games are much like real life, young people get the idea and sometimes can act apon so. Some young youth also have personal phycological promblems of their own who then take out what they are feeling in violent video games. I personaly do not beleive all people are like this or think like this, but it is known that violent media holds a strong influence on young people today.
I agree with your thought that "because modern day video games are so much like real life, young people get the idea and sometimes can act upon." This comment is correct because there are many youth today that would never have thought of that one little negative thought nagging at the back of their mind had they not witnessed that happening in a violent game or even a violent movie. Great comments and perspective!
In my opinion, violence in the media does affect the youth. However, we shouldn't blame violent behavior just on electronic media because, as the article Media Violence and Social Neuroscience reads, "unequivocal evidence that media violence increases the likelihood of aggressive and violent behavior in both immediate and long-term contexts"(Anderson et al. review). According to this fact, violent media increases the likelihood to have a aggressive behavior, but it doesn't create it. Nevertheless, I believe video games are much more likely to create that kind of behavior, because as the known article says "Players on video games actually engage in virtual violent actions, receive direct rewards for those actions", and it's the most important part to me because receiving rewards from violent actions could affect the way in which the youth see aggressiveness.
I love these comments! I especially like your comment that states, "Violent media increases the likelihood to have agressive behavior, but it doesn't create it." I concur in the most absolute way! I also agree with The comment, "Receiving rewards from violent actions could affect the way in which the youth see aggressiveness." I know from experience with my family members that the rewards from violent acts in video games gives them reason to try violent acts in reality so that they may possibly receive some sort of reward as they did in the game. Thank for listening and also for posting these greast comments!
i agree with you mostly but on one point, you quoted, "violent media increases the likelihood to have aggressive behavior, but doesn't create it," the game is still increasing this aggressive behavior. Which, is not a good thing on this topic.
Thank you, Baylee. You also gave a lot of good points in your posts and I have experienced in the past a situation similar to yours, that's the reason why our points are similar. Dulce, I know it is still increasing violent behavior, but it doesn't have to be the main factor in all the different situations.
I agree with most of this article. When it comes to violent video games affecting the youth,in one way or another, I completely agree. The school killings that have been linked with violent video games are a prime example of evidence. In the article, it states, "existing research demonstrates that they also cause increase in aggressive behavior.." (p. 178) how can anyone refute proven facts? I think that these violent video games influence a lot of aggression more to younger players. Being younger, things in general are more influential and as a result, violence is going to make a huge impact on their behavior. My thought is directly supported as well on page 179 with, "recent research has demonstrated that violent video games can temporarily increase aggressive thought, aggressive affect, and physiological arousal..." Though there is significant amount of proof on the matter, I also believe there are other underlying factors. Also, the amount of influence a violent video game has on a person, varies vastly. As a result, I think such factors shouldn't be disregarded.
Although I respect your opinion, I feel like the school shootings aren't really enough evidence because we can look at a violent behavior and link it to the media without taking in all the evidence, in these cases we aren't. This article is very one sided and doesn't tell us any of the other factors playing a part in these kids's lives. They were bullied and a lot of other things we don't know about. I do believe that yes the media could have played a part, I dont think we know enough about the situation and families to say that is the whole reason.
In your argument you emphasize the word "facts." I can respect that, however, the facts are that violent media simply correlates to the aggressive behavior. This correlation in no way means causation as they use this in a statistical sense. You quote the article in, "recent research has demonstrated that violent video games can temporarily increase aggressive thought, aggressive affect, and physiological arousal..." but in what type of youth? Those who have not been properly educated by those around him between right and wrong? Between the real world or their fantasies? Or maybe the youth they speak of are those with anger problems, mental problems, social or emotional problems. There is no "proof" of anything in this article besides theory.
You have good points but i agree with Morgan on this one. There are tons of other factors that could lead these shooters to do what they did. Nobody knows how this person grew up and what kind of household they were raised in. I dont believe there was enough evidence to say that yes, for sure this certain game triggered something in their head to go and kill people. There are always two sides to every story.
After reading this article I disagree with it. I don't believe that after playing violent video games or watching some violent TV shows that you are more likely to become violent or have violent thoughts. The tests in this article on how the participants showed reduced skin conductance and heart rate change on page 180 isn't enough or strong enough evidence to link the video games to people becoming more violent. Your heart rate could change from any type of video game, TV show, or even if you were to get in an argument with someone. Furthermore when "exposure to virtual violence produces desensitization to actual violence, which has been linked to increased aggression and reduced helping" was stated I believe it is false. I felt that the sentence was saying that if you watch violent video games or watch violent TV shows that if you see someone being violent to another person that you won't step in and help. I believe that's not true, people will still have morals, and if they think it's serious they will do something about it. Lastly when people play video games they do get competitive about it and I believe that people take that the wrong way and think that they are being aggressive. People get competitive in sports, their job, and just daily life things.
Vashti, I do agree with you and your statement. Your right, your heart rate can change from any type of video game, either from excitement or frustration. Also, when you mention people playing video games and getting "too" competitive and that its taken wrong way. Video games are meant to be competitive, that is one the their main purposes.
I agree here, seeing something violent on TV and something violent in real life is completely different. Like, we couldn't step in to stop violence on a television show, but that's way different than in a real situation. Morals play a huge part in this. And yeah, competitiveness is healthy in the right dosage, it's better than someone who doesn't try on anything in life. Everyone successful has had to compete for their success. I think people just overreact sometimes and mistake healthy competition for anger and aggressiveness.
Children's exposure to violent media is shouldn't be a huge deal. The part that should be taken seriously is the parenting. Parents will play a major role in how their kids act. For example, parents that let their kid(s) watch, play, or listen to whatever they want will most likely be more aggressive and violent. Parents that are strict with their kids and don't let them listen, watch, or play with violent media are less likely to be less aggressive or violent. Kids learn from what they see. Clint Eastwood's movie "Dirty Harry", has been linked to copycat killings. The killings that are linked to this movie are most likely not caused by children. In AP Stats we are taught that there are ALWAYS 'lurking variables'. This means that there are more factors that could be contributing to the cause. In this case, children could be being bullied, being aggressive and violent for attention, bad parenting, or even family and/or friend issues. Violent media shouldn't be the main concern. I disagree with the majority of this article.
I disagree with the article. Peoples actions go deeper than just the idea that because they are being exposed to violence, they are are going to act on it. Nevertheless, I do believe that violent video games and some of the media do influence aggressive behavior. The article states that "Violent videos games have been linked to numerous school killing" (pg 178.) I agree that the violent video games played a part in influencing the teens who committed the killings, but "linked" doesn't prove that violent video games alone were the cause of their actions. The kids who were involved in the Columbine High School and the other places like California, Michigan,and Minnesota must have also been dealing with other factors like bullying, violence at home or anger issues". The games might have motivated them but I believe that the other factors had more to do with what they did. In another part of the article it states that "Violent video games can temporarily increase aggressive thoughts,aggressive affects, and physiological arousal" and I agree, the violence that some of the games have are just mind blowing and my friends are the ones that are playing them. However, "can" is only saying that it may or may not cause aggressiveness. Most teens I know get mad if they lose in the game but that goes with everything not just video games and the "aggression" is gone in a few minutes. Violent video games are only partly to blame for what kids these days are doing.
I agree with your statement, "Peoples actions go deeper than just the idea that because they are being exposed to violence, they are going to act on it." I stated something similar to that in my post. However, I also believe that it's all about how in control of yourself you are. So little kids and "easily swayed" people would be more likely to be affected because they don't control themselves well enough. You know what I mean?
Partially, I agree with both of you, but you didn't convince me due to the lack of examples. Moreover, studies and experiments provided undoubtful evidence, that people who were exposed to violence tend to express it. To my mind, "bullying" is directly connected to violent media, or it acts like a catalyst.
I mostly disagree with this article, but I do believe there are some factors that are linked to violent behavior and video games. Such as, the persons behavior and how they interpret the game. But then again, the article clearly states that most of the research has focused on on the potential effects of violent media on arousal. They are pretty much saying that most of the experiments proved theory and not facts. Second, in most cases, such as the Columbine Shooting mentioned in the article, those adolescents who participated in the shooting had mental disabilities and were bullied when they were younger. That factor played a major roll in their actions. Also, from personal experience, one of my closes friends plays violent video games. However, the games do not effect his behavior towards violence in anyway.
I agree with your opinion and I really like the points you make about the Columbine. We could look at any one who did something violent and say "Oh, they used to watch cage fighting! I bet that is why they got in that fight."
I agree with your opinion also. Very good points and perspective. People need to realize there are other things going on in people's lives other then violent video games and such.
I agree to an extent that media violence does influence todays youth and how they act and present themselves. When a child starts playing war games at a young age, they think that it is okay to behave like that in real life. If they werent exposed to it until they were older and knew that it is not okay what so ever to even pretend that they are shooting another person, i think that they would have a different outlook on their actions. At a young age, the concept of taking someones life away from them doesnt have a lot of meaning until you have an experience with a family member dieing or a pet. When kids are playing a simulated video game, they get rewarded for taking a life and they think that it is okay to do. With the Columbine High School killings, many lives were taken as a way seen through a video game. (Carnagey, 178) There are some cases that kids can be playing these games however and are the sweetest and most innocent people around. A factor that can determine this is the household that they grow up in. But i strongly do believe that media violence is linked to real life social violence.
I don't completely agree with this article. Sure, violent media can have an influence on some people. That doesn't mean that it really affects everyone. I have a cousin who has played violent video games for years, and he's one of the calmest, nicest people I know. I think that to really have an effect on most people, the violent media must be thrown on top of some other factors such as exposure to violence within the household. I would also like to point out that the word "can" is used in this quote from page 179 of the article: "Recent meta-analyses have demonstrated that playing violent video games can increase physiological arousal and anger." The quote doesn't say that playing violent video games "does" increase anger, it say that it "can". That's like saying, "My dog can fetch a paper". "Can" implies having the ability to, but you have to take in other factors as well to determine how much truth is put into a statement. My dog has the ability to fetch the paper, but does he? No, because he isn't trained to.
I agree with you, Shelby. In my opinion, a violent person has been influenced by a lot of factors. Playing violent video games or watching violent movies are not the main reasons why some people have a violent behavior. It's true that media can influence this behavior, but as you said: "can", doesn't mean it will always happen.
In my opinion, I feel like there is way to many outside factors to say that one thing changes one's personality so much to make them violent or harmful. For instance, the article states on page 180, "exposure to virtual violence produces desensitization to actual violence, which has been linked to increased aggression and reduced helping." I feel like this applies to a lot of things that no one connects with added aggression, for example a sheriff. A sheriff is exposed to drugs, violence, and much much more that IS real and although they are desensitized to most things, you dont see them running around beating people up and doing drugs. I feel like there is so much more to life then just media. In fact, my brothers have played shooting games and the most violent thing they do is hunt. Which brings me to my next point about desensitization: hunting. People shoot living things all the time but they dont go around murdering people. Although I do see the other side of this arguement, I feel like we can't base personalities on one factor when there is so much more going on in one's life that people know nothing about.
Yes, media violence does affect today's youth. This article shares many experiments that have been completed and all of the experiments give the answer “yes” in relation to this question. For example, this article states, "Recent meta-analyses have demonstrated that playing violent video games can increase physiological arousal and anger." (Nicholas L. Carnagey, page 179). On the next page of this article, a line reads, "...exposure to virtual violence produces desensitization to actual violence, which has been linked to increased aggression and reduced helping." (Nicholas L. Carnagey, page 180). Other points are made in this article such as decreased regulation of aggression, different physiological reactions to real violence, suppression of effective information processing, and the lack of ability to differentiate fantasy from reality. With these experiments and observations, how could anyone say that media violence does not affect the youth of today? The youth are greatly impacted and, in turn, so is society. Violent media, specifically violent video games, are negative for all of society. Those types of media should be reduced to nonexistence because of their awful effects and negative results that damage everyone in this global society.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with your statement about "how could anyone say that media violence does not affect the youth of today" because I believe that it's all about the way you interpret the reading. Kids all around the world play violent video games and you don't see all of them committing violent crimes? The only ones you see doing that aren't ones playing video games, it's the ones who grew up in bad homes.
DeleteAlthough I see your point, there is also another side to the arguement as well. Personally, when I think about how prevelant violence really is in reality compared to how this article depicts it, I don't see too much of a similarity. Furthermore, you stated that "those types of media should be reduced to nonexistence" which in theory would be nice but just because that element is removed doesn't mean that the negitive effects will halt due to the overall tendancy of people to go against what they are told to do or not to do.
DeleteI respect your beliefes on this point but I must agree with Baliey and Kelli that when you said "those types of media should be reduced to nonexistence" is controversial. We have the freedom to play or watch whatever we want. If you don't want to play them then don't, but there is more to violence than just video games.
DeleteThank you for all the comments. I know my statement, "those types of media should be reduced to nonexistance," is contraversial, but this is a contraversial topic with fair game to any opinion, inlcuding my own. Most of the kids who play violent video games are not necessarily the ones commiting violent crimes, but they are the ones with reduced resistance to and avoidance of real violence, struggles in situations that involve violence, and a much different and more violent mind set. I understand that violence is not dependent on violent media or any one factor, but removing as many factors as possible will give us and those who come after us a better opportunity to have safe, happy lives. This is the same for people who are negative examples and for other negative situations. We have a duty to help others and be good examples, not to be violent and negative examples through our actions or the actions we depict in violent media.
Deletei think you are right on removing as many factors possible to increase safer lives for the community. Fact of the matter is, violent games have more negative influences than positive and should definitely be reduced to the youth, if not eliminated.
DeleteThanks Dulce! You are absolutely correct!
DeleteYes I think media violence does affect today's youth but only to a certain extent. It is arguable through the increase in violence in schools and other public places by youth that the media is affecting them. The article "Media Violence and Social Neuroscience: New Questions and New Opportunities" has several different aspects, elements, and types of media that affect youth as well as examples that provide support for the yes answer to this question. Although I am in agreement that media does have a slight influence on youth, the article is a very one sided opinion. Just like anything, I'm sure that there have also been experiments that have disproven this as well. Furthermore, it is also easily arguable that just because a child plays a game that doesn't mean that they are going to loose all control and start behaving like the characters in the game. Look at students in our school for example. Many of them play games and they are not behaving in the same manner as the characters. I can see both sides of this arguement and feel that the media does have a slight influence on youth, but not to the extent that the article has portrayed it.
ReplyDeleteYour comments are vaild, and I agree with many of your points. I agree that many of the students in our school who play violent video games or watch violent movies or participate in any other violent media are not depicting the same violence as the media they witness. Even though I agree with this, I also see that violence is not only portrayed in outward actions. It is easily seen through the comments these students make that they have violent tendencies, even if it is not to an extreme extent. I have heard casual side comments like "I want to kill him" or "I really hate that kid." These sort of comments may be normal or expected of teens today, but they are violent and thus the tendencies are present. The students may not be this way just because of violent media, but I know that violent media is just another factor to add to the pile of reasons behind violence and violent tendencies. Thanks for hearing what I had to say and thank you for sharing your opinion as well.
DeleteI agree with all your points. Violent video games do have an influence on the player,but to an extent like you said. Just because they are exposed to it doesn't mean that they are automatically going to act on it. I also agree with what you said on how the article is portraying the games a lot worse than they really are.
DeleteFor the most part, I disagree with this article. However, I do believe there are many factors that may affect and person or child that take part in violent media. For example the author states, "Most of this research has focused on the potential effects of violent media on arousal" (pg. 179) the word potential in this statement signifies that most of the experiments conducted have proven theory, not facts. In addition, the caption of "Figure 1" the word "correlation" is used and in the world of statistics, "correlation" is a word that emphasizes some sort of relationship but not a direct association. On page 178 of the article the author mentions the event at Columbine High School in respect to the incident being linked to violent video games. Many incidents and awful events like this are extremely rare and have multiple factors then just violent media. In conclusion, parents and adults should evaluate their children and themselves on problems such as maturity, anger issues, and any other factors that violent media could increase.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Just like how the shooting in Columbine High School was linked to violent video games I'm sure it had many other factors. It could have had something to do with what was going on at home or how they grew up and such, and have nothing at all to do with the video games they played.
DeleteI also tied AP Stats into this :p. I don't understand how they can just assume that violent video games are the cause of school killings like in Columbine High School and other violent crime sprees. Did they ask the killers, 'Have you played Grand Theft Auto recently?" If yes, then why hasn't the rest of the United States gone on killing sprees? There are more factors than just violent media.
DeleteThanks Bailey, I personally thought the article was a little biased. Taner its a simple fact. Us three can understand because we pay violent video games. Should that make others weary of us because we might flip? Not at all.
DeleteYes, I do agree with the claim "Does violence in the media affect youth?" and here is why.
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand, we have vast amount of examples, where exposure to violent media and to violent video games had a colossal impact on youth(p178, Columbine High School). Moreover, these cases were scientifically proven by scientists. One of the recent experiments had shown, that violence changes ACC(Anterior cingulate cortex)which is responsible for aggressive behavior reduction(p180 Sterzer; Botvinick; Matthews et al., 2003-2005).
On the other hand, however, the way people perceive violence varies. From my personal experience,I know a lot of people who have been exposed to violent games and TV show, and I have never seen any violent acts towards anybody from these people.
As we can clearly see, violent media affect people, though, in my opinion, human can live in a violent world and be totally in a healthy state of mind; it remains one of the issues, society needs to deal with.
I totally agree with you Rim! I believe that in the Columbine High School there was other factors to why it happened then just impact of video games even if the scientists proved it. I also know people who play violent video games and TV shows and they are not violent in any way.
DeletePeople do perceive violence on different levels. Some kids are not affected by violent media, while other kids think it's the 'cool' thing to do. Although the cases have been proven that violent media had a colossal impact on youth, how would that be tested when different kids perceive violent media on different levels? Scientifically proving that violent media affects kids will be extremely hard. Some kids might have been raised to love violent media and to be violent to get what you want. Other kids believe that being polite will get you what you want.
DeleteI agree with you Rim, I know a lot of people who play violent video games but they never show any aggressiveness outside of their "playing time". Most kids that play violent games are just kids being kids, they do it for the fun. As far as video games being proven to impact kids minds, well yeah they do but it all goes back on to how the kid is and what he has been taught and how they react to what they are exposed to.
DeleteRim your stance is a little difficult to understand, but I am going to assume you feel that violent media has negative effects on today's youth. I disagree with this based on personal experience and the skewed article, as it were. The information you express is false in the way that the experiments conducted by the scientists simply prove theory not factual information. In the article, "...not enough information..." is mentioned several times proving to the reader violent media is only a factor in those who are not mature enough nor have been taught the difference between right and wrong.
DeleteI agree with the statement that violence in the media affects youth. As the article states, there has been extensive research on this topic. All of the evidence is supportive of the above statement. For example, violent video games have been linked to several school killings, such as the one in Columbine High School. (Carnagey, Anderson, Bartholow; Media Violence and Social Neuroscience)
ReplyDeleteSpeaking from my own experience with video games and violence, I know that I'm not the nicest person to be around when I'm losing, but that's with video games in general, not necessarily the violent ones. I also believe that violence in the media will only effect those who let it effect them. I play violent video games and enjoy a good action movie now and then, but I know how to control myself. I don't go around re-enacting what I just played or watched on my classmates. I think that having a good sense of right and wrong is an important factor when looking at how violence in the media affects us.
I completely agree with you. I like the fact that you said you don't reenact what you played because not everyone is as easily or deeply influenced by violent video games. I think you are the one of many who prove that violent video games aren't so negatively influencing the youth.
DeleteThanks, I think that if you're in control of your actions, then violence in the media doesn't have that great of an effect on you. I liked in your post how you said that there are underlying factors to how violence affects us. I agree with that completely.
DeleteI agree with the point that you made about your own personal life saying that you know how to control yourself and i think that some people (violent ones) dont know how to handle real life situations and distinguish the difference between their own life and a simulated game.
DeleteI mostly disagree with this article. The article gives facts that tests have proven that heart rate and skin conductance decrease when a violent media is being watched or played (pg 180), but I don’t think those tests mean anything. Your heart rate and skin conductance could change by the way someone looks at you on the street, or from something you friends said to you. I believe that a person could watch all the violent media they wanted to, but the way they reacted after, is all about self control. In the article “Media Violence and Social Neuroscience” it states, “…exposure to virtual violence produces desensitization to actual violence, which has been linked to increased aggression and reduced helping.” (pg 180). I agree that when playing ANY video game you get aggressive but that is your competitiveness coming out, not some sign that you’re going to or become more susceptible to commit a violent crime. Memory and actions are also associated with what we watch/play yes, but I don’t think they are responsible for a crime you choose to commit either. If someone plays a violent video game and then goes and kills someone I don’t believe we should be able to blame the video game, I believe the person is responsible. Sure something from the past could have affected that but I don’t think it was the violent video games or violent media. People everywhere play violent games and watch violent media and they don’t all commit violent crimes. The way you interpret the violence is your own deal, but I don’t believe it leads to youth violence.
ReplyDeleteI like how you respect other peoples opnion in this passage while still holding your own position. You had very strong voice. Video games could not be the only reason for the violent acts. I agree with your stand point.
DeleteThank you! I do respect other peoples opinion because I myself play violent video games and you dont see me shooting up the school. If I were to then it would be becuase of something that happened earlier on in my life or something like that.
DeleteBailey I would be deeply concerned if you of all people were to shoot up the school.... haha!!! I do like your comment about the aggressiveness just being competitiveness, there are a lot of competitive people in the world when it comes to work, sports, or just about anything you do in life!
Deletehello
ReplyDeleteI believe that media violence is not the cause of violence in the community. Many Neuro surgeons play first person shooter games. They do this to help increase focus as well as to steady hand eye coordination. Violent video games do not cause the kids to be aggressive, if you look at tests done in the past you do not see if the subject already had violent tendencies, you only see that they do in that point in time. When you look into the history of kids with violent tendencies you see bad homes were people probably could not afford a video game with any amount of violence. I believe you should look into how the video games help the children detach from a bad situation teaching them what to do in a crises and how to be calm. I believe that we should look at all the statistics again and see what subject had the past history documented before violent video games and their history. No absolutes should be made. Kids who are affected with the violent tendencies might just be the anomaly.
ReplyDeleteOne key point that you specified was the outside environment that may affect youth besides just the media. I think it is also crucial to examine that before reaching conclusions on whether media is really the true influencing factor on youth or if it is a combination of elements.
DeleteThe life befor the test must be taken into consideration to get good hard facts. I am glad that you see that we need more than just current position the person is in.
DeleteI think all of your points are accurate, but i do not agree that violent video games have no influence on people. Because of how realistic video games are, people get ideas and sometimes act apon them. But very good article!
DeleteI agree in some points of your comment. I think there is a lot of factors that can influence violent attitudes. However, I also agree with Taylor, violent video games can be one of those factors and the importance of them varies from one person to another.
DeleteYes,I do mostly agree with the statement, violence in media affects most youth. In the article, it did state that some young people get ideas due to what they are watching on tv and playing violent video games. (page 179) The article also states that violent video games temporarily increases aggressive thoughts, aggressive affect, and physiological arousal. (page 179) Because modern day video games are much like real life, young people get the idea and sometimes can act apon so. Some young youth also have personal phycological promblems of their own who then take out what they are feeling in violent video games. I personaly do not beleive all people are like this or think like this, but it is known that violent media holds a strong influence on young people today.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your thought that "because modern day video games are so much like real life, young people get the idea and sometimes can act upon." This comment is correct because there are many youth today that would never have thought of that one little negative thought nagging at the back of their mind had they not witnessed that happening in a violent game or even a violent movie. Great comments and perspective!
DeleteIn my opinion, violence in the media does affect the youth. However, we shouldn't blame violent behavior just on electronic media because, as the article Media Violence and Social Neuroscience reads, "unequivocal evidence that media violence increases the likelihood of aggressive and violent behavior in both immediate and long-term contexts"(Anderson et al. review). According to this fact, violent media increases the likelihood to have a aggressive behavior, but it doesn't create it. Nevertheless, I believe video games are much more likely to create that kind of behavior, because as the known article says "Players on video games actually engage in virtual violent actions, receive direct rewards for those actions", and it's the most important part to me because receiving rewards from violent actions could affect the way in which the youth see aggressiveness.
ReplyDeleteI love these comments! I especially like your comment that states, "Violent media increases the likelihood to have agressive behavior, but it doesn't create it." I concur in the most absolute way! I also agree with The comment, "Receiving rewards from violent actions could affect the way in which the youth see aggressiveness." I know from experience with my family members that the rewards from violent acts in video games gives them reason to try violent acts in reality so that they may possibly receive some sort of reward as they did in the game. Thank for listening and also for posting these greast comments!
Deletei agree with you mostly but on one point, you quoted, "violent media increases the likelihood to have aggressive behavior, but doesn't create it," the game is still increasing this aggressive behavior. Which, is not a good thing on this topic.
DeleteThank you, Baylee. You also gave a lot of good points in your posts and I have experienced in the past a situation similar to yours, that's the reason why our points are similar.
DeleteDulce, I know it is still increasing violent behavior, but it doesn't have to be the main factor in all the different situations.
I agree with most of this article. When it comes to violent video games affecting the youth,in one way or another, I completely agree. The school killings that have been linked with violent video games are a prime example of evidence. In the article, it states, "existing research demonstrates that they also cause increase in aggressive behavior.." (p. 178) how can anyone refute proven facts? I think that these violent video games influence a lot of aggression more to younger players. Being younger, things in general are more influential and as a result, violence is going to make a huge impact on their behavior. My thought is directly supported as well on page 179 with, "recent research has demonstrated that violent video games can temporarily increase aggressive thought, aggressive affect, and physiological arousal..." Though there is significant amount of proof on the matter, I also believe there are other underlying factors. Also, the amount of influence a violent video game has on a person, varies vastly. As a result, I think such factors shouldn't be disregarded.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I respect your opinion, I feel like the school shootings aren't really enough evidence because we can look at a violent behavior and link it to the media without taking in all the evidence, in these cases we aren't. This article is very one sided and doesn't tell us any of the other factors playing a part in these kids's lives. They were bullied and a lot of other things we don't know about. I do believe that yes the media could have played a part, I dont think we know enough about the situation and families to say that is the whole reason.
DeleteIn your argument you emphasize the word "facts." I can respect that, however, the facts are that violent media simply correlates to the aggressive behavior. This correlation in no way means causation as they use this in a statistical sense. You quote the article in, "recent research has demonstrated that violent video games can temporarily increase aggressive thought, aggressive affect, and physiological arousal..." but in what type of youth? Those who have not been properly educated by those around him between right and wrong? Between the real world or their fantasies? Or maybe the youth they speak of are those with anger problems, mental problems, social or emotional problems. There is no "proof" of anything in this article besides theory.
DeleteYou have good points but i agree with Morgan on this one. There are tons of other factors that could lead these shooters to do what they did. Nobody knows how this person grew up and what kind of household they were raised in. I dont believe there was enough evidence to say that yes, for sure this certain game triggered something in their head to go and kill people. There are always two sides to every story.
DeleteAfter reading this article I disagree with it. I don't believe that after playing violent video games or watching some violent TV shows that you are more likely to become violent or have violent thoughts. The tests in this article on how the participants showed reduced skin conductance and heart rate change on page 180 isn't enough or strong enough evidence to link the video games to people becoming more violent. Your heart rate could change from any type of video game, TV show, or even if you were to get in an argument with someone. Furthermore when "exposure to virtual violence produces desensitization to actual violence, which has been linked to increased aggression and reduced helping" was stated I believe it is false. I felt that the sentence was saying that if you watch violent video games or watch violent TV shows that if you see someone being violent to another person that you won't step in and help. I believe that's not true, people will still have morals, and if they think it's serious they will do something about it. Lastly when people play video games they do get competitive about it and I believe that people take that the wrong way and think that they are being aggressive. People get competitive in sports, their job, and just daily life things.
ReplyDeleteVashti, I do agree with you and your statement. Your right, your heart rate can change from any type of video game, either from excitement or frustration. Also, when you mention people playing video games and getting "too" competitive and that its taken wrong way. Video games are meant to be competitive, that is one the their main purposes.
DeleteI agree here, seeing something violent on TV and something violent in real life is completely different. Like, we couldn't step in to stop violence on a television show, but that's way different than in a real situation. Morals play a huge part in this. And yeah, competitiveness is healthy in the right dosage, it's better than someone who doesn't try on anything in life. Everyone successful has had to compete for their success. I think people just overreact sometimes and mistake healthy competition for anger and aggressiveness.
DeleteChildren's exposure to violent media is shouldn't be a huge deal. The part that should be taken seriously is the parenting. Parents will play a major role in how their kids act. For example, parents that let their kid(s) watch, play, or listen to whatever they want will most likely be more aggressive and violent. Parents that are strict with their kids and don't let them listen, watch, or play with violent media are less likely to be less aggressive or violent. Kids learn from what they see. Clint Eastwood's movie "Dirty Harry", has been linked to copycat killings. The killings that are linked to this movie are most likely not caused by children. In AP Stats we are taught that there are ALWAYS 'lurking variables'. This means that there are more factors that could be contributing to the cause. In this case, children could be being bullied, being aggressive and violent for attention, bad parenting, or even family and/or friend issues. Violent media shouldn't be the main concern. I disagree with the majority of this article.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the article. Peoples actions go deeper than just the idea that because they are being exposed to violence, they are are going to act on it. Nevertheless, I do believe that violent video games and some of the media do influence aggressive behavior. The article states that "Violent videos games have been linked to numerous school killing" (pg 178.) I agree that the violent video games played a part in influencing the teens who committed the killings, but "linked" doesn't prove that violent video games alone were the cause of their actions. The kids who were involved in the Columbine High School and the other places like California, Michigan,and Minnesota must have also been dealing with other factors like bullying, violence at home or anger issues". The games might have motivated them but I believe that the other factors had more to do with what they did. In another part of the article it states that "Violent video games can temporarily increase aggressive thoughts,aggressive affects, and physiological arousal" and I agree, the violence that some of the games have are just mind blowing and my friends are the ones that are playing them. However, "can" is only saying that it may or may not cause aggressiveness. Most teens I know get mad if they lose in the game but that goes with everything not just video games and the "aggression" is gone in a few minutes. Violent video games are only partly to blame for what kids these days are doing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement, "Peoples actions go deeper than just the idea that because they are being exposed to violence, they are going to act on it." I stated something similar to that in my post. However, I also believe that it's all about how in control of yourself you are. So little kids and "easily swayed" people would be more likely to be affected because they don't control themselves well enough. You know what I mean?
DeletePartially, I agree with both of you, but you didn't convince me due to the lack of examples. Moreover, studies and experiments provided undoubtful evidence, that people who were exposed to violence tend to express it. To my mind, "bullying" is directly connected to violent media, or it acts like a catalyst.
DeleteI mostly disagree with this article, but I do believe there are some factors that are linked to violent behavior and video games. Such as, the persons behavior and how they interpret the game. But then again, the article clearly states that most of the research has focused on on the potential effects of violent media on arousal. They are pretty much saying that most of the experiments proved theory and not facts. Second, in most cases, such as the Columbine Shooting mentioned in the article, those adolescents who participated in the shooting had mental disabilities and were bullied when they were younger. That factor played a major roll in their actions. Also, from personal experience, one of my closes friends plays violent video games. However, the games do not effect his behavior towards violence in anyway.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your opinion and I really like the points you make about the Columbine. We could look at any one who did something violent and say "Oh, they used to watch cage fighting! I bet that is why they got in that fight."
DeleteI agree with your opinion also. Very good points and perspective. People need to realize there are other things going on in people's lives other then violent video games and such.
DeleteI agree to an extent that media violence does influence todays youth and how they act and present themselves. When a child starts playing war games at a young age, they think that it is okay to behave like that in real life. If they werent exposed to it until they were older and knew that it is not okay what so ever to even pretend that they are shooting another person, i think that they would have a different outlook on their actions. At a young age, the concept of taking someones life away from them doesnt have a lot of meaning until you have an experience with a family member dieing or a pet. When kids are playing a simulated video game, they get rewarded for taking a life and they think that it is okay to do. With the Columbine High School killings, many lives were taken as a way seen through a video game. (Carnagey, 178) There are some cases that kids can be playing these games however and are the sweetest and most innocent people around. A factor that can determine this is the household that they grow up in. But i strongly do believe that media violence is linked to real life social violence.
ReplyDeleteI don't completely agree with this article. Sure, violent media can have an influence on some people. That doesn't mean that it really affects everyone. I have a cousin who has played violent video games for years, and he's one of the calmest, nicest people I know. I think that to really have an effect on most people, the violent media must be thrown on top of some other factors such as exposure to violence within the household. I would also like to point out that the word "can" is used in this quote from page 179 of the article: "Recent meta-analyses have demonstrated that playing violent video games can increase physiological arousal and anger." The quote doesn't say that playing violent video games "does" increase anger, it say that it "can". That's like saying, "My dog can fetch a paper". "Can" implies having the ability to, but you have to take in other factors as well to determine how much truth is put into a statement. My dog has the ability to fetch the paper, but does he? No, because he isn't trained to.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Shelby. In my opinion, a violent person has been influenced by a lot of factors. Playing violent video games or watching violent movies are not the main reasons why some people have a violent behavior. It's true that media can influence this behavior, but as you said: "can", doesn't mean it will always happen.
DeleteIn my opinion, I feel like there is way to many outside factors to say that one thing changes one's personality so much to make them violent or harmful. For instance, the article states on page 180, "exposure to virtual violence produces desensitization to actual violence, which has been linked to increased aggression and reduced helping." I feel like this applies to a lot of things that no one connects with added aggression, for example a sheriff. A sheriff is exposed to drugs, violence, and much much more that IS real and although they are desensitized to most things, you dont see them running around beating people up and doing drugs. I feel like there is so much more to life then just media. In fact, my brothers have played shooting games and the most violent thing they do is hunt. Which brings me to my next point about desensitization: hunting. People shoot living things all the time but they dont go around murdering people. Although I do see the other side of this arguement, I feel like we can't base personalities on one factor when there is so much more going on in one's life that people know nothing about.
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