Gaming has become very popular in the last decade, and it’s very common for someone to own some sort of entertainment system. Video games have come a long way over the years, from arcade machines in the local arcade to personal game systems with astonishing realism. Video games are open to all ages, but attracts a great deal of the younger crowd. The stereotypes surrounding the gaming community have given video games a poor reputation, which in turn worries parents. People have come to believe that video games are a waste of time that lead to social sheltering, psychological damage, and an increase in violent behavior. The key is moderation, as anything in excess can be detrimental and it’s important to keep that in mind. However, gaming is
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When parents observe their child playing video games, it comes off as another mindless distraction similarly to television. Similarly to Eric and Joseph, video games are more than a hobby to many gamers like myself. Video games have the potential to relieve stress and allows gamers to channel their anger. Flemming and Rickwood (2001) connect Sigmund Freud’s theory of catharsis to gaming in their work, “According to catharsis theory, we need to purge or discharge our aggressive feelings and by performing or even witnessing aggression, we can be relieved . . . playing a violent video game could serve as a form of release and therefore would be expected to be followed by reduced aggression.” (p.) Everyone has a way to relieve stress. Some people do yoga, some clean around the house, and some use therapy. A study in 2010 was conducted by Dr. Christopher J. Ferguson that supports the use of violent video games as a stress relieving tool, he says “103 young adults were given a frustration task and then randomized to play no game, a non-violent, a violent game . . . The results suggest that violent games reduce depression and hostile feelings in players through mood management.” (Ferguson 2010) Parents judge video games based on what they see on the screen, not the joy on their child’s face. In fact parents might consider playing video games to bond with their child and relieve stress. However, parents are concerned that video games will do the opposite and promote violent
When parents observe their child playing video games, it comes off as another mindless distraction similarly to television. Similarly to Eric and Joseph, video games are more than a hobby to many gamers like myself. Video games have the potential to relieve stress and allows gamers to channel their anger. Flemming and Rickwood (2001) connect Sigmund Freud’s theory of catharsis to gaming in their work, “According to catharsis theory, we need to purge or discharge our aggressive feelings and by performing or even witnessing aggression, we can be relieved . . . playing a violent video game could serve as a form of release and therefore would be expected to be followed by reduced aggression.” (p.) Everyone has a way to relieve stress. Some people do yoga, some clean around the house, and some use therapy. A study in 2010 was conducted by Dr. Christopher J. Ferguson that supports the use of violent video games as a stress relieving tool, he says “103 young adults were given a frustration task and then randomized to play no game, a non-violent, a violent game . . . The results suggest that violent games reduce depression and hostile feelings in players through mood management.” (Ferguson 2010) Parents judge video games based on what they see on the screen, not the joy on their child’s face. In fact parents might consider playing video games to bond with their child and relieve stress. However, parents are concerned that video games will do the opposite and promote violent