Big News
Who would have thought it? Violence in video games is being denounced by the American Psychological Association.
The APA is calling on the industry to cut back on the violence, declaring it is bad for children's health. Their research shows that exposure to violence in such games as Doom, Wolfenstein 3D and Mortal Kombat, among others, increases aggressive behaviour and reduces helpful behaviour in daily life settings, among youth. "...even a brief exposure to violent video games can temporarily increase aggressive behavior in all types of participants." The Association states that these games are even more dangerous than TV and movies, " which are known to have substantial effects on aggression and violence."
The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and the world's largest association of psychologists. Their membership includes more than 159,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Quite the group for any layman to gainsay. Perhaps their statement could provide a starting point for those wishing to change the stats of gun-related deaths, detailed in my entry on Friday the 19th.
The Association identifies these games as being so influential because of their interactive nature; because they require the player to identify with the aggressor. Craig A. Anderson, psychologist and author explains that these violent games provide a forum for learning and practicing aggressive solutions to conflict situations, solutions that are more and more likely to be used when real-life conflict situations arise.
Read the whole article and see what you think. If you empathize with those caught in the tangle of violence, and/or fear to have it ever touch you and yours, it might be time to raise your voice in protest. Isn't it time for a little life-saving change?
The APA is calling on the industry to cut back on the violence, declaring it is bad for children's health. Their research shows that exposure to violence in such games as Doom, Wolfenstein 3D and Mortal Kombat, among others, increases aggressive behaviour and reduces helpful behaviour in daily life settings, among youth. "...even a brief exposure to violent video games can temporarily increase aggressive behavior in all types of participants." The Association states that these games are even more dangerous than TV and movies, " which are known to have substantial effects on aggression and violence."
The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and the world's largest association of psychologists. Their membership includes more than 159,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Quite the group for any layman to gainsay. Perhaps their statement could provide a starting point for those wishing to change the stats of gun-related deaths, detailed in my entry on Friday the 19th.
The Association identifies these games as being so influential because of their interactive nature; because they require the player to identify with the aggressor. Craig A. Anderson, psychologist and author explains that these violent games provide a forum for learning and practicing aggressive solutions to conflict situations, solutions that are more and more likely to be used when real-life conflict situations arise.
Read the whole article and see what you think. If you empathize with those caught in the tangle of violence, and/or fear to have it ever touch you and yours, it might be time to raise your voice in protest. Isn't it time for a little life-saving change?
1 Comments:
So glad to see the APA has finally caught up to the rest of us.
Post a Comment
<< Home