Video Games & Violence Explored
By: WBBH
Updated: February 14, 2013
(WBBH) A national survey recently showed the vast majority of American parents, nine in 10, say violence in video games is a problem.
But do these games result in violent behavior?
Chad took that question to the researchers who study people, patterns, and the games being played.
Violent video games aren't allowed in Teresa Hemmer's Naples home. She closely watches when and what her three kids play. 9-year old Trace said he plays "mostly racing games." His brother, 11 year old Jaxon, said "they're not really that bloody - the games I play."
"I want them to get the reality that when you use a gun and you shoot it at somebody, a lot of times the people aren't going to get back up," said Teresa Hemmer.
In the gaming world, death is often celebrated. Players receive points for kills and head-shots. That being said, does violence on screen lead to aggression in real life?
"I think the research has pretty consistently established that relationship is there," said Dr. Marty Bourgeois.
Read more:
The professor of Psychology chairs the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department at Florida Gulf Coast University.
When bringing up various types of research, he cites studies going back to the 1970's.
"They [studies] pretty consistently show that kids who play more violent video games tend to be more aggressive," said Bourgeois as he stopped short of using the word 'prove.' "Scientists don't prove anything."
To read more:
