ok so i always hear about people saying that video games and movies with a lot of violence cause people to become violent. my question is, do you think that this is true?
Poll: violence and video gaming
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It really depends. If you are sufficiently mature and have developed a set of values, ethics and morals then being exposed to violent games shouldn't be a catalyst for violent behavior.
The same cannot be said about those who are still in the formative stages of development. My oldest son is four years old; my youngest just turned one. My oldest son imitates what I do and what he sees on TV, and the younger one imitates what the older one does. If my oldest son sees someone smacking someone else on TV, he will go and do that to his brother, who will also attempt to do the same.
Once I was frustrated and angry; not controlling myself, I kicked the bathroom door - not kick it down, mind, but punted it out of frustration twice after discovering that it was locked. My oldest son saw me commit that action, and a few minutes later, started repeatedly kicking the bathroom door. That uncharacteristic behavior from my son sent me a powerful message, and was for me evidence that if you are not mature enough to comprehend the subtleties of good and bad, moral and immoral, ethical and unethical, then you are still very susceptible to being molded by external influences. For me, TV and videogames - and movies for that matter - undeniably have this potential to influence both positively or negatively. Violence is simply one of the potential factors of influence.
The same cannot be said about those who are still in the formative stages of development. My oldest son is four years old; my youngest just turned one. My oldest son imitates what I do and what he sees on TV, and the younger one imitates what the older one does. If my oldest son sees someone smacking someone else on TV, he will go and do that to his brother, who will also attempt to do the same.
Once I was frustrated and angry; not controlling myself, I kicked the bathroom door - not kick it down, mind, but punted it out of frustration twice after discovering that it was locked. My oldest son saw me commit that action, and a few minutes later, started repeatedly kicking the bathroom door. That uncharacteristic behavior from my son sent me a powerful message, and was for me evidence that if you are not mature enough to comprehend the subtleties of good and bad, moral and immoral, ethical and unethical, then you are still very susceptible to being molded by external influences. For me, TV and videogames - and movies for that matter - undeniably have this potential to influence both positively or negatively. Violence is simply one of the potential factors of influence.
If someone is already mentally or emotionally weak or highly violent, i'm sure it does. But violent video games sell millions, and we don't have millions of video game related murders. Maybe 20 a year at most from the news I hear. In other words, I don't think video games cause violence, just mental disorders or social problems.
Being exposed to violence in media wont CAUSE you to be violent. EVER. However there is an arguement in that it will desensitise you to some degree and in some that will lead to
being more likely to do something violent. I'd say that yes it affects the population but by such a tiny neglible degree its not worth noting, especially due to the opposing stress-relief and pacification arguements.
being more likely to do something violent. I'd say that yes it affects the population but by such a tiny neglible degree its not worth noting, especially due to the opposing stress-relief and pacification arguements.
Feeble minded individuals may be suckered into a violent behavior. But then again if the individual is weak there are plenty other things than video games and movies that can influence him negatively.
that pretty much sums it up...zee666 said:
I mean, pokemon never gave me the urge to start cockfighting/bearbaiting or throwing small balls at the neighbough's cat.
/threadcrimsondynamics said:
This topic has been done to so deep a death that the bloody zombies are calling a union meeting.
Why would you even ask this? The answer is obvious; does playing a violent game make me more violent? - NO. does playing Tony Hawke's Pro Skater 4 make me better at skate boarding? - Don't be f*cking stupid. Its called a scapegoat.
I hate these stories that keep popping up - 'man is violent, games obviously at fault - lack of frontal lobe was not a factor' says uninformed idiot.
Nothing is wrong with violent videogames. End of.
I hate these stories that keep popping up - 'man is violent, games obviously at fault - lack of frontal lobe was not a factor' says uninformed idiot.
Nothing is wrong with violent videogames. End of.
Sure I'd love to pick up a potted plant and go berserk on people around me, but I don't because I have a sense of right and wrong, aswell as what is real and what isn't.
I can slug away at zombies all I want on my xbox, but i won't do the same to my coworkers because that would be wrong, however give me a game with them starring and i'll bash their faces in.
I can slug away at zombies all I want on my xbox, but i won't do the same to my coworkers because that would be wrong, however give me a game with them starring and i'll bash their faces in.
Wait - I just noticed - there isn't an option for "Yes"?
I can understand this is a gaming forum and regardless, the vast majority of votes would still lean towards "No", but...
Doesn't that make this poll a bit slanted?
I can understand this is a gaming forum and regardless, the vast majority of votes would still lean towards "No", but...
Doesn't that make this poll a bit slanted?
Add in "Yes"! It won't make a difference, really!
I spar with my friends to soundtracks of games and movies that are violent. I test out moves I've seen on TV or in games. HOWEVER I still feel violence in games is not DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE for violence in the real world. It can be related, as in my case, but it cannot be held responsible for outside behavior. If so, the Wii is the most violent toy a child can have next to NERF guns.
The real problem comes when parents are like " I don't want to play with you, here's Manhunt*" and the GAME raises the kid instead of the parent. It's the raising that's the problem. In all honesty, it is not the game's fault. It's the parents that are at fault.
*Manhunt can be replaced with anything that has any violence ever, it came to mind when I heard about this discussion.
The real problem comes when parents are like " I don't want to play with you, here's Manhunt*" and the GAME raises the kid instead of the parent. It's the raising that's the problem. In all honesty, it is not the game's fault. It's the parents that are at fault.
*Manhunt can be replaced with anything that has any violence ever, it came to mind when I heard about this discussion.
The video games themselves don't cause people to be violent, they just build upon the violent tendencies that exist within the user; tendencies that might be subconscious until provided the right stimulus.
I actually save my road rage for Mario Kart Wii. "TAKE THAT BLUE SHELL, MASSHOLE! THAT'LL TEACH YOU NOT TO PASS IN THE BREAKDOWN!"xitel said:
I'd agree with some previous posters here who said that it depends on the person. If someone is prone to violence anyways, or has some type of psychosis, or something to that effect, then I could see how violent games would stimulate that behavior. But that is a minority, and certainly not everyone falls in this category.
That being said, I do think that not all kids should be playing all games. Apologies to the 13 year old on this site, but I think very few, if any of you, should be playing certain M rated games. I know I won't let my kids play certain games until I think they can handle it in a mature way, whether that's 13 years old or 17 years old.
That being said, I do think that not all kids should be playing all games. Apologies to the 13 year old on this site, but I think very few, if any of you, should be playing certain M rated games. I know I won't let my kids play certain games until I think they can handle it in a mature way, whether that's 13 years old or 17 years old.
I don't think video games or movies affect anyone past a certain age, which may be different for everyone. Once they realize that the movin' pictures box isn't real and certainly shouldn't be taken seriously in any way, then it should be fine. That's what the ESRB system is for. (also it takes the blame off the devs and producers because they warned you[like cigarette box warning])
I've been playing violent games since the age of 4, and I think I'm screwed up; however, it's for different reasons completely unrelated to games or movies media etc. Even by the age of 4 I knew the difference between right and wrong, and certainly real and pretend.
At the same time... when I was 4, it was the era of wolfenstein 3d and Doom and I guess the violence is getting a bit more real. When it comes to kids, I really have no clue because I still feel like one myself. I guess it would definitely depend on how bright the little tyke is.
The only decision I've made for certain about my children is that they will never have fast food until 10 or 12. I remember me and my older brother always wanting that stuff. It's like c
baby crack jr. for kids.
I've been playing violent games since the age of 4, and I think I'm screwed up; however, it's for different reasons completely unrelated to games or movies media etc. Even by the age of 4 I knew the difference between right and wrong, and certainly real and pretend.
How do you mean by mature way? I think if a kid no longer blatantly imitates but still plays pretend(exercising imagination is good for the developing brain I've read), they're already on the road on creating their idea of real and pretend.Baby Tea said:
At the same time... when I was 4, it was the era of wolfenstein 3d and Doom and I guess the violence is getting a bit more real. When it comes to kids, I really have no clue because I still feel like one myself. I guess it would definitely depend on how bright the little tyke is.
The only decision I've made for certain about my children is that they will never have fast food until 10 or 12. I remember me and my older brother always wanting that stuff. It's like c
baby crack jr. for kids.
if you are stupid enough to be influenced into comitting violent acts by video games then you deserve to go to prison and get raped by a man called betty