In the world today, many people associate violent, profane, uncensored videogames to be the cause of crime. It has long been certain peoples oppinion that the media is responsible for multiple forms of crime, and since video games are a form of media, they are often scrutinized. By now most people have heard of the video game series "Grand Theft Auto". This popular series allows you to commit crimes freely in an unrestricted environment, and often rewards you for your criminal enterprises. Some would say that this is a simulation of the life of a criminal, but where does the game end, and reality begin? Obviously most people are capable of answering this question by themselves. So then why is it that people often criticize uncensored games for desensitizing people into committing crimes? I do not think that there is a direct link between these games and the people that seem to emulate them. For instance the 2 shooters at Columbine High School played violent video games such as "Doom". That does not mean that if they hadn't played that video game, they wouldn't have brought guns into the school. Certainly nobody could blame a video game for that tragedy. So, the question remains, "Do video games lead to crime?" and I'll tell you no. If there is ever a case where someone commits crime based on something they saw in a video game, then that person probably had other issues prior to emulating the game. The bottom line is that video games are a form of entertainment and a way for people to express themselves. You can't associate the actions of a few with the rest of law abiding gamers, it is unfair, and intangible.
*Anderson, Craig A. (October 2003). Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts, and Unanswered Questions. American Psychological Association.
*Freedman, Jonathan L. (2002). Media violence and its effect on aggression: assessing the scientific evidence. Toronto: University of Toronto Press
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Clearly written and good sources. You're doing good work with this topic.
I am missing one blog from you...Blog 6 was a 3-paragraph essay to answer one of your questions, which is what I felt this was. Blog 8 was a summary of two points of view on your issue, which this could possibly be. Either way, there's one more you need. Let me know.
I know that is it not the game it self that commits the crime. But you must think...when you play a video game you talk about it to your friends later, because you think about it. Depending on your perceptions, each will think of the game differently. Yes i agree with you that if someone commits a crime it is not due to the game only, there must be some sort of prior problem. But if you are killing someone in a game, and you think about it later, i don't think the subconscious can really tell the difference between what is real and what is not quite so.
But I think I get where you are coming from.
i kinda understand where you are coming from.. but i play video games sometimes and i don't get the urge to go murder people lol but i think it is different for a lot of people and their ways of thinking..
Post a Comment