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Do Violent Video Games Lead to Real World Violence

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Do Violent Video Games Lead to Real World Violence?

ABSTRACT

As our society becomes more reliant on technology and the mass media, the notion that the media may have a profound influence on people has become more prevalent. Research into Media Violence and its effects on values, beliefs and behaviour has been well documented over the past 50 years.

This systematic review, looking at both research reports and other relevant literature relating to the topic explores whether or not violent video games lead to real world violence. This topic has been selected due to the unique participatory nature of this type of media. The review demonstrates the inconclusive nature of the research on this topic. It focuses on the short term and long term effects possible while also investigating the need to consider alternate explanations to violent behaviour in children and youth. The review concludes with suggestions for further research.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Children spend an increasing amount of time playing video games with the majority of them violent in nature (Huesmann, 2007). Players participate in and create the violence, often receiving reward for their violent behaviors rather than negative consequences (Funk, Baldacci, Pasold & Baumgardner, 2004). The area of violent video games in regards to Media Violence is relatively new with somewhat limited research as video games have only been available to the general population since the 1980s. It is however in need of thorough investigation as researchers believe due to the participatory and active nature, the impact of video games on violence may be more pronounced than other types of media (Anderson & Dill, 2000; Gentile, 2003; Funk, Baldacci, Pasold & Baumgardner, 2004). Media violence is the visual portrayal of physical aggression by a human-like character towards another (Huesmann, 2007). With

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