| binary solo said: Anyway there are 2 possible ways for video games to be the cause of violence: 1 violent content which leads to violent behaviour; 2 intense activity causing increased adrenaline and potentially also frustration and anger because of game difficulty (the stereotypical throwing the controller at the TV in frustration). Scenario 1 cannot be causally linked to violent behaviour unless a predilection to violence already exists and the person is somewhat already psyched up to commit violence. Thus the violent game is used as further motivation to do what was always intended. The fact that they chose video games as a psych up tool is not really relevant because people can use all sorts of mechanisms to provide that boost of courage to get them to carry through on their intentions. Scenario 2 is more likely to lead to violence as a direct result of playing because there is no intent on violence when starting to play but events lead to an emotional state where anbexplosion of violence occurs. In this connection the presence of violence in the game is irrelevant. Any game that is hard enough can create the emotional conditions that lead to an explosion of rag, or an explosion of tears. And it need not necessarily be the difficulty of the game. With online MP games it could be lag that causes you to mistime your action and thus lose ground at a pivotal moment.P, if this happens repeatedly over a short time then the frustration levels build up and any little thing can cause a burst of rage. I've seen it happen with my own kids, who are the essence of non-violence. They would never dare try to hurt anyone, but objects have taken the occasional beating, and only my intervention has prevented mouses and keyboards from taking irreparable damage. But is that any different to John mcenroe's outbursts when tennis line calls didn't go his way? No it isn't. So video games are not unique in causing those emotional states to build up. |
There's way more than 2 possibilities how can videogames cause violence. I can think of at least 5.
1) Being a catalyst for pre-existing aggresive thoughts.
2) Serving as a trigger for aggressive thoughts that might not ever surface otherwise
3) Reinforcing the notion that violence is a good way of resolving conflict in children
4) Desentisizing to violence
5) Inspiring violent acts by glorifying and glamorizing violence and otherwise portraying it as "cool" or desirable
Note that your "possibility #2" isn't even included in this list, as I don't believe there is scientific support of a connection between short-term emotional states and long-term violent tendencies. You are right that this is asinine.
If any of these factors increase violence in a population by a statistically significant degree, it can be concluded that videogames cause violence.
