Summary Of Violent Video Games And Other Media Violence Craig Anderson

Essay 1

“Violent Video Games and Other Media Violence” by Craig Anderson is an argumentative essay of how and why violent games and media effect the youth of the world. The essay contains two major questions: 1.Is there a significant association between exposure to media violence and aggressive behavior? And 2. Is this association casual? Over 50 years of research is reviewed while trying to get to the root of the topic. Anderson is not only a highly credible source; he also develops his essay in a manner easy to follow, and presents researched facts to back up the statements being made on such a controversial issue.

Credibility is key when discussing a topic primarily researched based. Craig Anderson, Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Iowa State University, serves as Director of the University’s Center for the Study of violence. With help from Colleague Douglas A. Gentile, together they write the American Academy of Pediatrics Statement on Media Violence and become influential in the argument used in the 2010 Supreme Court decision of whether or not violent video games should be prohibited to sell to children.

Anderson continues to publish books over the subject matter of the effects of violent games and or media on adolescents.
By Anderson establishing his credibility before the reader begins with the actual article, trust is inspired from the opening. Anderson builds expertise in the subject of gaming and media violence. This expertise transfers into him being a distinguished professor who serves as Director of the University’s Center for the Study of violence and influential to the Supreme Court, as well as a published author over the issue.
After establishing trust, essay development is also crucial in writing a convincing essay.

Anderson begins by separating early research over the effects of video game violence from the current research, or research in the last ten years. Presenting the information is such a way allows the reader to compare the research between the two time periods. The similarities and differences will take less time discovering. Anderson then proceeds to divide his article in connecting segments. The first segment is “How Media Violence Increases Aggression”, in which he explains in detail. The next segment is the “Effect of Violence in Passive Versus Active Media”. The two sections directly correlate as the first one describes the cause of the aggression and then the second goes into detail about the effect. This pattern continues as the essay carries

on.
Lastly, presenting proof to back up boldly stated claims is critical. Yes, Anderson proves to be a credible source, but how reliable can a source really be without giving the reader evidence to why what he is saying is true, is actually indeed, true? Anderson tends to say a statement, for instance like, “Media violence also produces an emotional desensitization to aggressive and violence” (Anderson, Craig). He then goes into an explanation of why, “… viewing physical violence normally leads to increases in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as certain brain wave patterns” (Anderson, Craig). This gives the reader evidence and reinstates Anderson’s credibility.
In evaluating an essay, a counterargument should be present to help reinforce the point being proven and too show the author is open-minded to both sides. Anderson makes this efficient for the reader by providing a segment dedicated to studies that contradict his personal point of view. However, instead of the contradicting studies proving the counter opinion, Anderson states that the experiments were just completed with “poor methods” (Anderson, Craig). He then goes into comparing well conducted studies to poorly conducted studies; coming across as slightly bias.
Overall, Anderson has written a resourceful essay about the negative effects of violent video games and media. The reader is able to process and understand an abundance of information through his writing style. Anderson being a credible source as well as a published author, makes for a convincing essay.