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The effects of videogames on the human psyche
Effects of media on youth
The effects of videogames on the human psyche
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For decades, video games have had an amazing growth in popularity, appeal, and influence. But what exactly is the source of this? What is it in the human mind that makes a little man running around on a screen so enjoyable? What is the psychological and cultural appeal of all this?
In an article titled “Getting to The Heart of The Appeal of Videogames,” by Andrew Przybylski, it is stated that people spend an average of three billion hours a week playing video games. However, why is it that people invest so much time into these games? Pryzbylski stated that “a game can be more fun when you get the chance to act and be like your ideal self,” which supports the idea that people play games in order to chase after a version of the person they aspire to be. The author went on with his explanation, saying he was heartened by the fact that people aren’t trying to run away from their real lives, but are instead trying to connect with the person they want to be, or feel like they are inside. “The attraction to playing video games and what makes them fun is that it gives people the chance to think about a role they
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Many people, especially parents, believe that video games are a harmful force of violence that can make youth more likely to commit crimes, but there have been multiple studies that say quite the opposite. According to a study titled “Video Games Impact Your Feelings in Real Life” by Guy Winch Ph.D, explained that committing immoral acts in video games can actually induce strong feelings of guilt in the human mind. Going deeper into the study, it was shown that players who committed these immoral in-game acts and felt guilt as a result also felt more sensitivity towards similar real-life scenarios. Psychologists are attracted to the idea that positive games could help patients with anger management, impulse control, increasing empathy, and social skills in the
At this day in age we bask in the luxury of having easy access to advanced technology at our disposal. From the World Wide Web, to cell phones, music, movies and video games the human race has thought of any and everything to keep us entertained. Over the years studies have shown reasonable concerns regarding the long-term effects of video games. These games can desensitize gamers to real life violence, which is usually seen in the younger crowd. The studies especially hit on the games containing player-on-player violence. Though these games are extremely entertaining and can get kids to settle down for a while, if not properly supervised, they can produce adverse effects. Other studies have shown that video games can be used as way to yield positive outcomes such as, good problem solving skills, cooperation in a group and the ability to flow. Although there has been psychological research on children learning through the actions of others some believe that children are automatically able to distinguish between what is just a game and what is reality. The longer they are allowed on their game system the more they become convinced that their games are real. Some researchers believe violent video games can channel the aggression of the child but the parents are to blame for what happens to the child after playing an excessive amount over a period of time. Children can become preoccupied with these violent video games which have been proven to be the cause of poor social skills, uncontrollable aggression and a false reality.
The first violent video game invented was during the 1970’s (Anderson & Bushman, 2001), since then, the degree of violence present in a video game has significantly increased. Today, the graphics, sounds, characters in video games have become more realistic than before any of the past years. Real-life associations are easier to make if a video game is realistic. Violent video games impacts individuals psychologically, physiologically and socially. On one side, these elements results in an increase in aggression, addiction, lack of empathy and desensitization (Myers, 2013, p. 295), fluctuation of heartbeats, high levels of blood pressure, and changes in the perception of society (Anderson & Bushman, 2001 ). In the other case, the individuals do not experience these effects altogether or experience very little because of factors such as strong morals and they have no symptoms of any mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety (MediResource, 2013). These individuals demonstrate a high level of cognitive development like critical thinking and motivational skills (Myers, 2013, p. 295).
A peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that children, especially boys, play video games to manage their emotions: “61.9% of boys played to ‘help me relax,’ 47.8% because ‘it helps me forget my problems,’ and 45.4% because ‘it helps me get my anger out.’” There has been a decrease in crime rates along with an increase in game sales, and many researchers are associating that with the cathartic effect of video games. A peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Adolescent Research concluded that “Boys use games to experience fantasies of power and fame, to explore and master what they perceive as exciting and realistic environments (but distinct from real life), to work through angry feelings or relieve stress,, and as social tools.” (Do Violent Video Games
" Kneer et al believes media and older people are creating speculations that gaming causes aggression, and these gamers know the difference between the imaginary and real world (251). She says, "Young adult do not play digital video games themselves (253). " She is rebutting to what Montag had said earlier about how online video gamers play games to get out of the real world as they have dissatisfaction. But Kneer et al say that playing games as groups can be a form of social interaction (253). Simultaneously, Maria Frostling Henningsson goes against Chen and Emily Collins who said that gamers become shy and timid.