Violent Video Games and Violence in the Household

           The media plays a large role in all of our lives today, steering clear of it seems nearly impossible. Many of these sources produce a lot a violence, whether it be television shows, news stories, social media, or in particular video games. Much research has been done on whether or not this observed violence can cause aggressive behavior or worse, violent actions, in our most vulnerable populations: children and adolescents. Violence is not just seen in the media; it can also be experienced in one’s home or neighborhood. From researching and learning more about these topics I began to wonder, can growing up in a violent household lead to the same aggressive behavior that children and adolescents can develop from playing violent video games?

            In the article, “Cool, callous and in control: superior inhibitory control in frequent players of video games with violent content” by Laura Stockdale and her colleagues, it became apparent that Social Learning Theory shows us the main reason as to how aggressive behavior is picked up from violent video games. From previous studies, it has been shown that short term exposure to these violent video games leads to aggressive behavior in children and adolescents. To build on this earlier research, Stockdale and her group (Project M.E.D.I.A.) are testing the long-term effects of exposure to violent video games. In a longitudinal study, the researchers are following 506 parents and children to observe how violent games will affect the families, especially the children, over the course of 25 years. The group hypothesizes that long term exposure will lead to the formation of overall aggressive personalities in adults.

            Another article that I found, “Media Violence Effects on Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults,” by Dr. Craig Anderson contradicts Stockdale’s research. Anderson’s research asserts that unless otherwise exposed to other violent risk factors, violent video games and media are a minute contributor to the display of aggressive behavior. Though still a contributing factor, according to Anderson, violent media is not the root cause of aggressive behavior, or for that matter violent crimes performed later in life. However, the point I found to be the most interesting in this article is the fact that exposure to media violence is a risk factor that carries roughly the same weight as having aggressive parents. The only difference between these two factors is that one can be controlled and prevented, while the other cannot.

            Overall, I found both of these articles to be very interesting. Although they do slightly contradict each other, it is clear to me that the two studies share similarities. Primarily, their messages complement each other. Both pieces of research are centered around Social Learning Theory, which can then be developed into the General Aggression Model. If a child is constantly exposed to violence in the media, particularly from video games, they may learn to emulate that same behavior. This can also be seen in aggressive households. If a parent is consistently violent or aggressive, and a child is continuously exposed to that behavior, they may “learn” this behavior and go on to replicate it.

References

Anderson , Craig A. “Media Violence Effects on Children, Adolescents and Young

Adults.” Journal of the Catholic Health Association of the United States , July 2016, www.chausa.org/publications/health-progress/article/july-august-2016/media-violence-effects-on-children-adolescents-and-young-adults.

Stockdale, Laura, et al. “Cool, Callous and in Control: Superior Inhibitory Control in Frequent

Players of Video Games with Violent Content.” Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, vol. 12, no. 12, 2017, pp. 1869–1880., doi:10.1093/scan/nsx115.