The Link Between Violent Video Games And Increased Aggression

Playing with Anger

“Psychologists have confirmed that playing violent video games is linked to aggressive and callous behavior” claims John von Radowitz (Study). Video games have been around since the early 1970s. Over the past forty to fifty these games have progressively become more violent. This happened because these were the types of games people tended to be drawn to.

The players become connected to the violent characters in these games because of the first person shooter aspect. Initially this happens because these players have complete control over where their character goes and what it does, providing the same visual perspective as the actual killer. Points in games such as Call of Duty, Battle Field, and Grand Theft Auto are earned

There will always be those that come along claiming that the violent acting person that played video games has a family history of violence. Persuading many to believe that the violent video game exposure played a nonexistent role in the outcome of that player’s aggressive behavior. “However, the link between violence in video games and increased aggression in players is one of the most studied and best established in the field” said Dr. Mark Appelbaum (Study). The research constructed from various studies falls into three separate categories: short-term, long-term, and correlation studies (Shooting). In one short-term study performed by Christopher Barlett, a psychologists at Iowa State University, Christopher proved that there is a correlation between violent video game exposure and aggression towards others. In this study over forty undergraduates play a game called “Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance” for only fifteen minutes. Afterwards, the actions, moods, and feelings were compared to another set of undergraduates that never played the game. A test also requiring that each set of participants individually chose how much hot sauce to give another student, who does not like spicy food, but has to drink it anyway. “Sure enough…those who had been engaged in “Mortal Kombat” were more aggressive across the board.

Violent video games are merely one factor that plays into the aggressive and violent behavior. It may be rare but not uncommon to hear about a horrific criminal act that directly involved violent video games. The Columbine shooting back in April 20, 1999 is one of these rarities. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold both attended the Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado (Columbine). The two boys had been bullied in the past and were constantly submerged in the violent nature of these video games together. Being pushed to their limits the two teenagers went to their school with guns, killing 13 and wounding 20 others before both committing suicide on that campus. Even though that was a tragic day that will not be forgotten, mass shootings, murders, the major criminals are not all direct results from violent gaming. Violent video games are a direct result in the players’ attitude, perspective, and general moods. Therefore, mainly referring to the players that are involved in an everyday trouble making situation. Grades dropping, getting into fights, verbal arguments, rude, and even disrespectful behavior, these are the types of effects that show the most when exposed to the violent aspect of video gaming. “…But look at the ripple effect one drop can make!” One player’s nasty attitude and aggressive behavior caused by exposure to violent gaming could lead others,