Violent Video Games: First Person Murder Simulators [View all]

[rDigital]

http://www.ithp.org/articles/violentvideogames.html

First, video game play is active whereas watching TV is passive. People learn better when they are actively involved. Suppose you wanted to learn how to fly an airplane. What would be the best method to use: read a book, watch a TV program, or use a video game flight simulator?

Second, players of violent video games are more likely to identify with a violent character. If the game is a first person shooter, players have the same visual perspective as the killer. If the game is third person, the player controls the actions of the violent character from a more distant visual perspective. In a violent TV program, viewers might or might not identify with a violent character. People are more likely to behave aggressively themselves when they identify with a violent character (e.g., Konijn et al., 2007)

Third, violent games directly reward violent behavior, such as by awarding points or by allowing players to advance to the next game level. In some games, players are rewarded through verbal praise, such as hearing the words "Nice shot!" after killing an enemy. It is well known that rewarding behavior increases its frequency. (Would you go to work tomorrow if your boss said you would no longer be paid?) In TV programs, reward is not directly tied to the viewer's behavior.

What do you think? Is it interesting that first-person murder simulators are the most popular and profitable games of all time in the U.S.?
What's has a greater effect on those who would do violence? The gun or the conditioning?

Should we ban violent murder simulator video games because they glorify gun violence and desensitize future murderers?


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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, one of the most popular games in history.