Effects of Video Game Characteristics on Aggression
The second study we will examine was the most effective of those used in this review at determining the true effect of video games on aggression. The study, conducted by Paul Adachi and Teena Willoughby, compared the effect of video game violence on aggression to the effect of video game competitiveness on aggression (4). They proposed that there are actually four main characteristics in video games (violence, competitiveness, difficulty, and pace of action) that may affect aggression, and with their study, they hoped to address three major deficiencies …show more content…
While most current studies indicate that there is likely no connection between media violence and societal violence, the real answer is that we simply don’t know. There is not enough evidence to support any link …show more content…
With this information and the target audience in mind, I would like to finish by making some recommendations. To parents: right now, there is no clear line to be drawn when it comes to violent media and your children. Until there is better research, you will have to come to your own conclusions and decide where the line is for you and your family. To lawmakers, policymakers, and other community leaders: although there is a lot of excitement about this issue in the current political arena, there is not enough evidence to support the arguments that media violence increases aggressive tendencies. There are arenas in which it would be appropriate to make policies against the use of such media, such as the workplace, but in general, until such time that it can be conclusively proven that such a link exists, it would be prudent to refrain from making laws or other policies restricting the sale and/or use of violent media.
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References
1) Ferguson C. Does movie or video game violence predict societal