We need more people that can wave fancy degrees around on the Escapist. And not like art degrees or philosophy or anything, I mean the mean green stuff, like medicine and psychology, biochemistry.Targie said:To add to the points against this experiment I actually watched the show on TV last night.
Firstly the average resting heart rates (Beats per minute) for the non-violent group was apparently 80ish and just over 90 for the violent lot. Not only is the difference a little large for a test on heart rate jumps if the kids resting heart rates are that high I think finding out why should have been priority over doing this experiment. I mean 0.0.
The other half of the experiment involved in them being interviewed and the interviewer intentionally knocking down a pot of pens. The hypothesis was that the non-violent group would be more inclined to help. Whilst this was the case the procedure was in no way standardized as the researcher leant over to pick up the pens himself in 2 of the 4 shown from the non-violent group before they offered to help. Whereas in the violent group he was quick to ignore it and ask another question. Either they didn't help or otherwise would have been labelled ignorant etc. The test was biased to begin with.
I also fail to see the relation between helping to pick up pens and being desensitized to violence (Whilst it is worth research it isn't related to violence >.>)
I'm not a neuro scientist either but I am a psychology student well educated enough to notice bias and lack of standardization.
Summary: The experiment was too flawed to be considered valid. Another pop at videogames. Move along.
(What will be interesting is next week with the kid with an 80 (Something around there I believe) hour per week game addiction)
Also, 80 bpm resting? What the fuck is this, were they shot at while playing football, then punched and thrown into the room within 2 seconds?
I'm no doctor, but either those results are skewed beyond proportion or these kids need some morphine and a good diagnosis, stat. That many beats per minute in an idle state could, if I'm correct, severely lower life expectancy if untreated.
Oh, and as regards to the pens, just absolutely and completely controlled and directed testing there.
I expected more from you, Supernanny.
I expected more.