Video Game Violence and Child Aggression ©

Video Game Violence and Child Aggression
Jeannette Villatoro
Statistics BKE1112A
April 18, 2011
Brianne Gilbert











Video Game Violence and Child Aggression

Introduction

Child aggression is a topic of interest for any parent and for society as a whole. Aggression can create a multitude of problems for children including advanced anger issues, violence, and depression. Additionally, video games are a top form of entertainment for children and the use and development of video games is steadily growing. According to Anderson and Bushman, “about 10% of children aged 2 to 18 play console and computer video games more than 1 hour per day (Anderson & Bushman, 2001, p. 353)”.

Due to the prominence of violence in video games, it is important to study the correlation between video game violence and child aggression. Studies may become successful in deriving answers to this dilemma through utilization of mixed method research studies and an incorporation of observational data and surveys of participants. Correlational studies are imperative to this dilemma of child aggression and video game violence and the goal is to search for a sustainable correlation, evaluate results, and eventually change the culture of video game entertainment to reduce the impediment of child aggression in society.

Statement of the Problem

Aggressive behavior in children is a concern for many parents. Aggression usually builds and becomes more of an aggravating circumstance and can be fueled by anger, fear, low self-esteem, anxiety from a lack of control and a combination of these factors (Department of Family and Consumer Studies, 2010). Aggression is a serious matter because of the problematic emotional development that can occur with a child displaying consistent aggressive tendencies. Furthermore, the child will continue to cope with situations in an aggressive manner if not addressed properly. The reactions others may have to aggression may be fear, avoidance, or submission to the behavior, enabling the child with aggression to have control, and this can possibly encourage the aggressive behavior to continue.

Because of the negative effects of aggression on children as well as families and other peers, the topic of child aggression should be forcefully explored. It is imperative to reinforce positive behavior by teaching a better way for children to express themselves. To understand why aggression is an issue, caregivers must try and discern the causes of the aggressive behavior (Department of Family and Consumer Studies, 2010). Emotions, tiredness, and other internal mechanisms may be a factor. However, there are environmental factors and other elements that can be considered to be a stimulant to aggression. Studies on aggression have become more extensive and research has suggested different approaches to the onset of aggression. One of the well-received approaches to aggression is the social learning theory in which aggression is learned initially through social interaction and is maintained by other conditions (Smith, 2008). With this theory of aggression, operant conditioning is also a factor. This theory would support the hypotheses that violent video games promote aggressive behavior through rewarding the violent activity with coins and other incentives related to the game.

Violence is rampant in our culture and steadily rising. Technology is growing rapidly as well. Entertainment is also on a steady rise, and various forms of entertainment are now related to technology in vast ways, and seemingly following the wave of growth in violence. One of the most popular forms of entertainment, fueled by advanced technology, is video games. This industry is embracing the depiction of violent images for sale growth more so than previous decades. Video games are a popular form of entertainment because of the player’s ability to manipulate the sequences of events. However, the development and sales of video games reflect an alarming rise in ratings valued for maturity, causing entertainment to be commonly assessed in a violent manner.

René Weber, an assistant professor at Michigan State University and the conductor of a research study on this issue stated, “m-rated games contain concerning violence: that is, realistic, rewarded and justified violent activities of attractive perpetrators in real-life settings” (Michigan State University, 2005, p. 1). Weber conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging study on 13 male research participants to prove a correlation between aggressiveness and violent video games (Michigan State University, 2005). Brain activity of the participants were recorded and analyzed as the participants played violent video games. This study showed a link between the characteristic regions of interest in the brain that shows aggressiveness and the participants playing the violent games (Michigan State University, 2005). According to Weber, “there is a neurological link and there is a short-term causal relationship” (Michigan State University, 2005). This discovery justifies further research into the phenomenon of aggression and how it may be enhanced through violent interactive play, especially when considering young children.

Video game violence has shown to exude certain types of encouragement for these negative aggressive behaviors in children in addition to somehow producing the aggressive tendencies. Simply eliminating video game use is not a feasible solution; yet discerning the direct impact video game violence has on these negative childhood behaviors may help to impede further issues. Moreover, targeting the aggression is necessary to avoid furtherance of its consequences and to help children recognize and avoid violence in media as an influential aspect of their own behaviors.

Literature Review

Though levels of violence may differ in strength and multitude in the immense array of video games available on the market, violence is highly evident in most video games being produced these days. Because of this, it is important to study the correlation between video game violence and child aggression. Through evaluation of mixed method research studies, the variables of child aggression and violent video games can be purported to be correlated. After reviewing several articles on child aggression and correlations with this behavior, it appeared that many research concepts have been formulated based on video game violence and child aggression. This is a previously studied topic, yet most research studies fixated on long term observation rather than direct or immediate scrutiny. Furthermore, other research studies on violent video games and child aggression lacked a qualitative approach in which the participants were surveyed to incorporate the perspectives of the subjects of the study directly into the findings.

The idea of this particular topic is built on the strong realization that previous studies and literature pertaining to the topic in question, either the correlation of variables together or each of the variables independently, has brought understanding and depth to the field of psychology and child development. Through reviewing previous studies on video game violence and child aggression, it became evident that a correlation exists between these variables. Because this is a social science study, a cause and effect is not measurable, but the correlation seems strongly apparent through most of the reviewed literature. Furthermore, the knowledge and application gained from these literature reviews will serve as a foundational understanding of the issue and proper methods of approaching the research.

In a study conducted on child aggression, prosocial behavior, and empathy, statistical results showed that not only do children have difficulty differentiating acceptable behaviors when frustration or anger ensues, but that empathy was lacking when consequences of violence were evident (Anderson, et al., 2001). It is further found in this study that violent video games have a strong correlation with child aggression and antisocial behaviors (Anders, et al., 2001).

With an oppositional focus, one researcher conducted a study that resulted in a conclusion quite different from most studies on the topic of correlation between childhood aggression and violent video games. Christopher Ferguson, an associate professor at a Texas University, found through his study that violent television and video games were not predictive of aggression (Hunt, 2010). Ferguson purported that no evidence supported that violent media strips children of their natural hesitancy toward killing and this media violence does not seem to teach or encourage such behavior (Hunt, 2010). These findings are interesting, yet it seems lacking in sustenance. The samples were small and unbalanced representations of a large population and the study did not incorporate needed qualitative methodological approaches, neither did this study possess viable observational tactics.

It seems quite plausible to assume, without a research study, that the preponderance and commonality of violence in video games show children that this behavior is somewhat normal. These games go beyond this, in fact, by rewarding the behavior of violence with virtual money and accolades. The normal simulation in the games of life-like cities, scenarios, and people further perpetuate a virtual world quite realistic in presentation. This visualization surely provides a setting of training material for future life scenarios. Additionally, Ferguson goes on to suggest that parents are needed to push the knowledge that violence is wrong rather than blaming the video game industry (Hunt, 2010). While this is a valid and honorable point, parenthood is a state in which a constant battle with environment is to be had, and parents can only teach so much before the teachings are noticeably in contradiction of what seems to be the norm of violence and the acceptance of aggressive behavior. Parents can indeed prevent such games from being played, but in doing so may simply be protecting their children from a world of media violence that awaits them at any stage or age in life and thus must be addressed and conquered considerably early in childhood development.

Findings

Most studies in this realm have had purposeful sampling methods imposed. Purposeful sampling targets subjects that have certain characteristics (Siegle, 1998). The characteristics that are needed for this sampling are children of a specific age group that regularly play video games for recreation. The specific type of purposeful sampling is ideally homogenous because of the basic similarities chosen within the groups and the need to simplify the analysis to focus specifically on the independent and dependent variables (Siegle, 1998). Most of these studies illustrated these needs with interesting results.
A correlation was definitely found in most studies conducted on this topic, in studies specifically targeting the facets of childhood aggression and video game violence, and studies that delve into correlated issues revolving around media violence and actual violence and aggression. Although some studies may show no effect, it is a causational failure rather than correlational failure found between childhood aggression and video game violence. Therefore, the argument is strong to suggest that a correlation between video game violence and child aggression does exist, and that further studies on this topic of interest are warranted.

Discussion

Violence is a concerning issue in our culture and continues to affect how we live. Not only does violence exist in everyday life, but alarmingly violence has become an accepted, even preferred method of entertainment. Video games in particular are raging with violent images that beckon the user to participate rather than simply watch (Anderson, et al., 2001). Trying to find a correlation between violent video games and aggression may uncover disconcerting findings. While video games are enjoyed by players of all ages, it is significant to focus on a select group. The health and safety of children may be at risk if aggression becomes dominant. Furthermore, a child succumbing to aggression poses a concern for society.

Aggression is a complex issue because it can be approached as biological, psychological, or culturally induced (Farrell, 2002). Although a research study concentrating on the correlation between stimulating violent video games and aggression would fall easily into the cultural aspect of this phenomenon, there are also biological and psychological reactions when aggression abounds. Therefore, a good research study will delve into aggression comprehensively and include all aspects of aggression and all possible variables. When considering aggression, the researcher should have an understanding of theoretical approaches to aggression as well as the factors that can be considered stimulants or antagonists of this behavior.

With a focus on children, the study should take on the perspectives of the parents or caregivers as well as the child. This is highly important because children are in the care of adults and if negative effects occur, there is a high probability of correcting the problem if the adult is enlightened by the new information. Additionally, statistics of video game play should be pursued in this research, including previous studies comprised of this research topic to enhance the findings.

Studies in this field of interest should be qualitative due to the observation that must take place. Children playing the violent video games need to be observed. However, it should be expected that direct aggression may not be witnessed during the study, and aggression cannot be ruled out if this is the case due to the biological and psychological elements of this behavior. Therefore, further studies on this topic may find it appropriate to complete the research with quantitative methods such as surveys that assess the attitudes and perceptions of the children after playing violent video games.

Conclusion

A desire for understanding human behavior is a defining interest in our culture and will most likely never cease. This is a fascinating area of study that is expansive with endless possible discoveries to be made. These discoveries can only help perpetuate understanding and change for a better way of life for children and society. Issues such as video game violence are easily overlooked because of the vast acceptance and enjoyment that seems to result from the introduction of such media. With the incredible advancements of technology and a modernized approach to the world we live in continuously changing the way we perceive reality, it is necessary to continue to explore human behavior as it relates to our fluctuating environment. Aggression is a behavior that can be internally formulated or engaged through outside influence. Therefore, it is a relevant area of study that can produce interesting results when coupled with another variable.

It is accepted and encouraged in our culture to protect children from violence. Yet, there are available resources to children that we allow in which can gradually become more detrimental to our children’s health and wellbeing than parents would normally choose to accept. Video games are an acceptable form of entertainment for most children and parents. However, video games increasingly include violence. Furthermore, the interactive aspect of video game play makes violence in video games more dangerous than television or other forms of media that simply display images for viewing. Studies done on this issue have proven to be imperative to help perpetuate an understanding of the negative effects of video game violence on children and hopefully inspire more in-depth studies to continue so that this issue can be addressed in a cultural manner.





References

Anderson, C., & Bushman, B. (2001). Effects of violent video games on aggressive behavior, aggressive cognition, aggressive affect, physiological arousal, and prosocial behavior. Psychological Science, 12(5), Retrieved from http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/faculty/caa/abstracts/2000-2004/01ab.pdf.

Anderson, C., Ihori, N., Shibuya, A., Swing, E., & Bushman, B. (2001). Violent video game effects on aggression, empathy, and prosocial behavior in eastern and western countries: a meta-analytic review. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/faculty/caa/abstracts/2010-2014/10ASISBSRS.pdf.

Department of Family and Consumer Studies. (2010). Anger and aggression in young children causes. Retrieved from http://citationmachine.net/index2.php?reqstyleid=2&mode=form&reqsrcid=APAWebPa ge&more=yes&nameCnt=1.

Farrell, A. (2002). Aggression: biological, psychological, and cultural explanations. Retrieved from http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro02/web2/afarrell.html.

Hunt, S. (2010). Violent video games do not cause youth aggression. The Blue Banner, Retrieved from http://www.thebluebanner.net/violent-video-games-do-not-cause-youth- aggression-1.1291077.

Michigan State University (2005). Violent Video Games Lead To Brain Activity. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051012082710.htm.

Siegle, D. (1998). Purposive sampling. Retrieved from http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/siegle/research/Samples/purposivesampling.htm.

Smith, A. (2008). Theories of aggression. Retrieved from http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1809.
Psychological Science, 12(5), Retrieved from http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/faculty/caa/abstracts/2000-2004/01ab.pdf.