Study Shows No Link Between Violent Games and Crimes

[Jitway]

University of Essex researcher disproves correlation

 

US, May 20, 2008 - With the recent release of GTA IV, a game that allows you to steal cars, kill civilians, and conduct drive-bys, the topic of video game violence is back at the forefront of the media. While most gamers equate the potency of videogames to the violent movies that we've watched for years, the dissenting hand opposes violent video games due to their interactive nature.

 

The advent of violent video games raises many questions. Has video game violence gone too far? Aren't M-rated games intended for mature audiences? Among the sea of good questions, the quintessential one arises, "Is there any scientific evidence to support the claims that violent games contribute to aggressive and violent behavior?" In the International Journal of Liability and Scientific Enquiry, University of Essex researcher Patrick Kierkegaard answers that query by stating there is no data to support the theory that videogame violence promotes violent crimes. His study interestingly provides the opposite correlation.

 

Kierkegaard asserts that past studies were predominately biased. His data shows that there is no correlation between the rise of violent videogames and the amount of crimes committed. Despite violent games becoming more mainstream within recent years, statistics show that violent crimes committed from juvenile delinquents have declined since the early 1990s. "With millions of sales of violent games, the world should be seeing an epidemic of violence... Instead, violence has declined," wrote Kierkegaard.

 

Even though Kierkegaard found no ties between real life crimes and videogame violence, he admits that more research needs to be done. He also doesn't rule out the possibility that videogames can influence behavior and emotion, noting that even books can spure violence in already sadistic individuals.

 

 

 

I knew that this would come about one day. Too blame violence on gaming or even movies is just wrong. It is the person and not the say game or movie.

 

Source HERE

 

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[OverlordMondo]

I heard on the news recently that video games reduce the risk of violent crimes such as school shootings because video games help form social relationships that delinquent gunmen normally lack. There was more to it than that, but I can't be expected to remember it all.

[L.S.D]

Theoritically, playing violent games will deter an individual from commiting the same crime because those playing know how brutal, violent it can be and the consequences of it. I always thought gamers have better judgement on things. People in this forum attest to that

[Agozer]

Yeah, those who commit violence have been a few screws lose from Day 1; playing a violent video game doesn't suddenly make a healthy person snap and start killing.

[emsley]

Thats just crazy talk, last week I stuck a shotgun up a cats butt hole and fired, poured petrol on someone then chased them round with a box of matches then smoked cat nip and yelled "I am the lizard king baby!"

[emwearz]

Just like porn aint gonna increase your rate of sex, violent games aint gonna increase the likelihood of you gunning down your neighbor for not paying you this weeks protection money.

[OverlordMondo]

Just like porn aint gonna increase your rate of sex, violent games aint gonna increase the likelihood of you gunning down your neighbor for not paying you this weeks protection money.

It doesn't go higher than 100%.