"Grand Theft Auto IV", the latest chapter of a highly controversial and breathtakingly successful video game franchise, arrives in stores on April 29. The game is expected to do $400 million in sales during its first week of availability, shattering the box office receipts of even the biggest summer movies. The secret to the success of the "Grand Theft Auto" franchise? Sex and violence. And lots of it. Just listen to this preview of "Grand Theft Auto IV" from The Telegraph in Great Britain:
It is, I know, bad taxi etiquette to punch my elbow out and smash the offside window. The taxi-driver thinks so too. We screech to a halt in the middle of the traffic, and he gets out to give me a piece of his mind.
The meter is still running, but I have a strong sense my journey is over, so I climb out too. As tempers fray, I'm just wondering whether to plant one on the driver's chin when I notice that, when I broke the window, I accidentally dropped something by his feet. He doesn't seem to have noticed, either.
"That's a grenade," says my companion.
"Oh," I say. "So it seems to -"
Then the screen blossoms into orange flame, the charred taxi-driver performs a dreamy ragdoll backflip out of the frame, the taxi piles off up and to the right, my body is flung vertically into the air, and nearby pedestrians squawk in dismay at this unexpected and, like, totally catastrophic interruption to their morning schedule.
Bear in mind, this is from an article praising the game.
The game is notorious enough to have drawn the expected criticism from conservative family groups. There were suggestions the franchise had even inspired real-life acts of murder. And for the 2005 release of "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas," critics were joined by none other than Sen. Hillary Clinton, who suggested the violent acts and sex scenes in the game would unduly influence children, and that she would take action:
“The disturbing material in Grand Theft Auto and other games like it is stealing the innocence of our children and it’s making the difficult job of being a parent even harder,” said Senator Clinton. “I am announcing these measures today because I believe that the ability of our children to access pornographic and outrageously violent material on video games rated for adults is spiraling out of control.”
Are Clinton and other critics right? Do violent video games encourage children to violent and antisocial behavior?
It may depend on the type of game. In 2005, two psychological researchers reviewed 20 years of studies about the links between video game violence and real world violence and found a strong connection:
According to researchers Jessica Nicoll, B.A., and Kevin M. Kieffer, Ph.D., of Saint Leo University, youth who played violent video games for a short time experienced an increase in aggressive behavior following the video game. One study showed participants who played a violent game for less than 10 minutes rate themselves with aggressive traits and aggressive actions shortly after playing. In another study of over 600 8th and 9th graders, the children who spent more time playing violent video games were rated by their teachers as more hostile than other children in the study. The children who played more violent video games had more arguments with authority figures and were more likely to be involved in physical altercations with other students. They also performed more poorly on academic tasks.
Furthermore, violent video game players "tend to imitate the moves that they just 'acted out' in the game they played," said Dr. Kieffer. For example, children who played violent karate games duplicated this type of behavior while playing with friends. These findings demonstrate the possible dangers associated with playing this type of video game over and over again.
But a second study, released around the same time, took a look at players who had spent 56 hours or more during a month playing"Asheron's Call 2," a massively multiplayer online game that is more similar to "World of Warcraft" than to a game simulator such as "Grand Theft Auto." Their results? There was little effect on the behavior of the game players:
The second study, by Williams & Skoric, found that players who played "Asheron's Call 2," an average of 56 hours over the course of a month were not statistically different from the non-playing control group in their beliefs on aggression. The researchers also reported that game play was not a predictor of aggressive behaviors. This is reported to be first longitudinal study of a game. While "Asheron's Call 2" does appear to have some very violent elements, it is a multi-player online role-playing game. Such games are quite different from graphic simulators such as "Doom." The latter type of game is similar to video simulators that train soldiers for battle. In such games players kill simulated enemies over and over again with increasing precision and skill.
In 2003, Craig A. Anderson, a researcher at Iowa State University, published an article with the American Psychological Association deconstructing "myths" about the studies that link violent video games to aggressive behavior:
Some studies have yielded nonsignificant video game effects, just as some smoking studies failed to find a significant link to lung cancer. But when one combines all relevant empirical studies using meta-analytic techniques, five separate effects emerge with considerable consistency. Violent video games are significantly associated with: increased aggressive behavior, thoughts, and affect; increased physiological arousal; and decreased prosocial (helping) behavior. Average effect sizes for experimental studies (which help establish causality) and correlational studies (which allow examination of serious violent behavior) appear comparable.
Three more recent studies published in 2007 by Iowa State's Anderson, Douglas Gentile and doctoral student Katherine Buckley confirm those results:
"We were surprised to find that exposure to violent video games was a better predictor of the students' own violent behavior than their gender or their beliefs about violence," said Anderson. "Although gender aggressive personality and beliefs about violence all predict aggressive and violent behavior, violent video game play still made an additional difference.
However, the U.S. Department of Justice notes that juvenile crime rates have been relatively low in recent years. The arrest rate climbed 12 percent between 2004 and 2006 -- however, "if the rate continued to increase annually by the same amount, it would be almost 14 years before it once again reached the peak level of 1994." This has prompted some gamers to claim that access to violent video games might actually have reduced violent juvenile crime.
And just this month, an article in The Lancet, a British medical journal, suggested there wasn't enough evidence available to determine that video games affect public health.
In the USA, tackling violence is highly politicised. Most of the media violence research is led by a group of prominent US psychologists who have helped influence the health agendas of the American Medical Association and American Association of Pediatrics. Researchers in the UK and Europe have been less political. The problem for governments is that they can do little about the many causes of violence, but in the wake of events like the Columbine shootings there is pressure on governments to be seen to be doing something; it is much easier to talk tough on media violence than it is to regulate guns.
Currently, there is simply not enough evidence to devise recommendations for public health. Perhaps it is time to give up the quest to isolate the specific contribution that media violence makes to aggression, given the complexity of other risk factors involved. Moreover, the degree of exposure to various types of violent content is hard to quantify, and longitudinal studies are hampered by constantly evolving technology.
So: Video games like "Grand Theft Auto IV" spark violent and antisocial behavior in players. Truth or not?
Thoughts
ITS NOT THE GAMES
Submitted on May 9th, 2008 by janmbWhen I was a kid I had 6-shooters to play with and when we grew up back then, our generation put those kinds of toys away.
Our favorite movies were cowboys shooting one another at any annoyance or murder-mysteries or the favorite of all times like the movie PHYCHO.
Yet--I don't know anyone personally that grew up being a serial killer or that was arrested for a violent crime and I do know a lot of people who grew up and are from my generation.
I don't know why there is more violence today except guessing its frustration as life is so much more complicated and stressful for everyone financially and in the workplace where parents bring it all home.
Whats the problem
Submitted on May 7th, 2008 by Anonymousthere not doing no violent crimes
Exacitly
Submitted on April 30th, 2008 by Squizo21That is a perfect point. If such rules are fallowed then there is no need for this debate at all
Boring!
Submitted on April 30th, 2008 by AnonymousIsn't anyone else bored of this non-debate? This game has an 18 rating for a reason. If a parent doesn't want their kid playing the game, all they have to do is not buy it for them. I struggle to imagine any 14 year old passing for someone 4 years their senior.
Some Validity
Submitted on April 28th, 2008 by AnonymousWell I'm a violent video game player as well and i'm not too sure about some of the findings. I am in perfect agreement with imitation part of this article. I recently purchased GTA San Andreas and i noticed after about a week of playing I was swearing like crazy and speaking in a totally uncharacteristic sort've way. I actually stopped playing the game because it appeared to be causing me to change my personality too much. Playing games which do not have someone speak violently is not so drastic though. Playing Halo 3 for example i don't feel very violent at all. Who know's i think there is certainly a connection but it does not mean games need to be banned, but rather a healthy dose of reality and self examination for those who overplay excessively violent games.
I don't think it causes
Submitted on April 28th, 2008 by AnonymousI don't think it causes violence, aggression to be sure, just listen to any frat boy playing halo 3, but it does cause antisocial behavior. hello fanboys.
Stupid
Submitted on April 28th, 2008 by AnonymousI am an avid gamer and I have played many a violent video game in my life. E.G. Doom, Quake, COD series, Halo series, etc, but I have had no overly violent behavior (meaning no more than any other teenage boy would have). I think that the increase in aggressive behavior will only go so far with an individual, I actually think that the decrease is due to the fact that by playing these games, you are actually releasing the violence onto a non-human entity, therefore reducing stress, and decreasing aggression towards others.
Amen.
Submitted on April 28th, 2008 by AnonymousThat is what I've been trying to tell people for years, and they wouldn't listen. I commend you on your thinking skills.
Isn't it the other way around?
Submitted on April 28th, 2008 by AnonymousWe all go on to read how video games causes violent behavior, etc. but anyone ever stop to realize that maybe it's the violent people who play those kind of games? I've played the entire Grand Theft Auto series, and while they're good games, I personally play something else. I just don't get into those games much. My personal preference. I mean, how hard is it to think, as a more aggressive person, "Hey, that was awesome. I'd love to try something like that." In the end, it's the people that are more harmful, not some game.
Buck stops with Parents
Submitted on April 22nd, 2008 by PabloJust as I stated earier its not the game in general that is the problem.
The issue is age of the kids playing games which are violent or contain stuff that honestly should be for adults.
Should the government deal with this issue? ABSOLUTELY!
How? Just as any adult would be punished for providing pornography to minors there needs to be a simular punishment for parents or other adults who provide these games to kids that honestly are not appropriate.
Not all kids are effected by these games even if they all are allowed to play. However, there will me a percentage that would be effected and its that group which acts out and is at the heart of this discussion.
Most partents do a good job in general. But if a partent or adult knows that there is a penalty for not doing the extra glance at a game would improve the issue.
So its not about censoring! It has more to do with addressing parents or adults to act responsibly with minors on all levels not just the hot topics like pornography and preditors. I know for a fact that GTA has a level where you can watch sex of the toon characters. So to me these games be they just violent or of adult nature should never be given to children under the age of 18. When they turn 18 then they can do what they want with these games.
Politicians cause violent
Submitted on April 22nd, 2008 by AnonymousPoliticians cause violent behavior. I'd rather have a child play a violent game than go to war and die.
Ferdy, from Jensen Beach
Submitted on April 21st, 2008 by GolfferdieFerdy, from Jensen Beach ,FL.
Im sure it can Have some effect, Im disable so I play x-box alot and some times can feel like nomatter what happens I can press start for new game. It is the Parents ultamate responceability. They need to suppervise this stuff. Dont play that game because thats in me opinion a bad example of a game. So yes I believe it can have an effect.
Why
Submitted on April 20th, 2008 by Anonymousdo people care so much. they have done this with, the radio, television, cable, ipods, computers, internet and gane. give it a rest like many have said its the parents fault. people are so quick to blame everything but themselves.
I think violent video games
Submitted on April 20th, 2008 by AnonymousI think violent video games can enhance preexisting violent tendencies, but they don't cause them.
Er...no.
Submitted on April 20th, 2008 by AnonymousI don't know where to find it, but X-play had a fascinating interview with folks at Harvard who did a study on the correlation between video games and violence. Apparently the results showed that people who didn't have an outlet like video games ended up more violent. Food for thought, huh?
Anyway no. I don't believe that video games lead to violence. Or they do, but only in the sense that porn leads to rapists. Some people will see it and go out and shoot somebody, thinking what they see on screen is acceptable in the real world. The difference here is that those people have something inherently wrong in their mind. They are the mentally unstable ones who can't differentiate between reality and fantasy. The whole accusation is absurd.
lol
Submitted on April 20th, 2008 by Anonymousmore than 93% said not ture
Blame the Parents
Submitted on April 20th, 2008 by AnonymousPoor parenting is to blame for the majority of behavioral problems in children. People want to blame video games, movies, television and anything else they can think of, because they refuse to take responsibility. I've played violent video games all my life, and have enjoyed violent movies, yet have never been in a fight, nor do I own a gun or kill defenseless animals.
I have played every violent
Submitted on April 19th, 2008 by AnonymousI have played every violent videogame under the sun, and I have never killed anyone.
Brain Activity Compared to Behavior
Submitted on April 19th, 2008 by AnonymousThough behavior might seem more aggressive, it mostly is in young children, children that naturally copy everything they see. Also, studies into the actual brain function during gameplay showed the part of the brain showing sympathy working more than the aggressive and hate parts of the brain. So most people actually feel sympathetic to the poor victems in these games, not hatred.
I am unaffected
Submitted on April 19th, 2008 by AnonymousI have been playing violent video games since I was a kid. The first 3D computer game I ever played was Duke Nukem at the age of 5. I've grown up playing all of the Grand Theft Auto games, the Metal Gear Solid series, the Devil May Cries, the Half-Lifes...just about every shooter and war game there is.
I am 19 now, and I am not a violent person by any stretch of the imagination. So I have no idea what this discussion is about...and screw hilldog by the way.
some things not mentioned in the article.
Submitted on April 19th, 2008 by AnonymousI can't remember where, but there was an article about this same topic that said a study showed that violent any-kind-of-media caused increased aggression in people. From movies to books, even the Bible (containing God-sanctioned violence).
It reminds me of an interpretation of MacBeth that I agree with. MacBeth is confronted with these witches, and the aparition of the dagger, and he thinks these are telling him to murder the king. But, is it that the apparitions cause him to do these things? I would say no, that he always had murderous intentions, and simply waited for an excuse.
Basically, people who do violent things do them because they want to, not because watching violence automatically inspires it. These people usually have more problems than that they play violent video games.
And sure, being a kid and playing GTA isn't a good idea, since they're still learning and games do have an affect on people. But watching the trailer, it seems like a trailer for an 8-hour movie.
Don't movies cause violence in kids then? Oh right, we have ratings so kids don't see R rated movies. And we have ratings so that kids can't buy M rated games without their parents.
It's like people saying illegal immigrants steal jobs from American citizens. You can't steal someones job. The companies are hiring these people. Likewise, if a store sells an M rated game to a kid, they should be punished, or at least the clerk. And if a parent buys it and is displeased with the results? Parents fault.
Video games are more art than they have ever been before, and shouldn't be stifled.
Heh
Submitted on April 19th, 2008 by AnonymousYou sir, are a hero!
Another Thought
Submitted on April 19th, 2008 by AnonymousI've actually researched this when I was in high school. Most of the studies do show an increase in agression. BUT! that increase is temporary. Limited to the time when one is engaged in the game. Just as when people have this kind of response to a violent movie.
And if the child is not aware of the difference between reality and a game...and the parent is allowing this child to play this game, then it's definitely the parent at fault, not the game manufacturer.
I'm James, and I'm another nonviolent gamer.
Dang it
Submitted on April 19th, 2008 by PabloCensored again!!!!
Video games sticky wickit
Submitted on April 19th, 2008 by PabloDo video games cause more violence? It is near impossible to prove one way or the other.
This is simular to the same kind of argument does Pornography make a person a rapist.
Does these violent video games make the players have more violent thoughts and desensitize them to respect authority and their neighbor?
Absoutely it does.
I have played video games for almost 3 decades back when you only could play midway at the local theater or arcade.
I can tell you for certain that the more violent games do make you more aggressive and it does make you think about acting out. Some kids do act out what they play but most do not.
Just as watching a Porno flick makes you think of sex but does not make 99% of the population go out and rape.
The same is true for video games. However, the ages of the kids playing is a factor. If you have extremely younger kids who have not yet developed the sense of right and wrong, then they would act out disproportionally to what would be normal to those who do know right from wrong.
Thus many of these extremely violent games need to be treated in the same mannor as Pornography as to who can purchase and play them.
Make the same kind of penalties for adults who provide these ultra violent game to youngsters because its effects would be the same as an adult providing pornography to children. It distorts those childrens reality of what is right and wrong.
The amount of violent crime
Submitted on April 18th, 2008 by AnonymousThe amount of violent crime in the USA has been declining steadily for the last decade. Video games have been getting more and more violent...
Just a thought, maybe violent video games serve as a way for some people to relieve stress in a way that they never could (or would) do in real life... Been a gamer for years now myself and haven't killed anyone yet, even though i have a bad temper.
We wouldn't have to worry about this if...
Submitted on April 18th, 2008 by AnonymousAlright, this is kind of a rant, but i see this all to often.
Imagine standing in line at a game store, and seeing a women buying a game for her 8 or 9 year old son. You would imagine that she's buying an E-rated game or something, but when i see the cashier's face, i can tell something is not right.
Apparently, she was trying to buy GTA:San Andreas for her son. However, the clerk wasn't getting through, so i thought i should step in (by the way, i'm only 14, but i know the distinction of what's real and what's not)
Me: "Ma'am, do you know what is in that game?"
Her: *giving me a rather rude look* "No, and it's none of your business"
Me: "Yes it is, mainly because i'm tired of parents not being responsible and making sure what they buy is appropriate for their kids."
Her:*being defensive* "Are you accusing me of being a bad parent?"
Me:*not falling for an obvious trap* "Yes, i am, because if you would simply look on the back of the box, you would see a big giant 'M' on it which mean 'Mature' which means for people 17 years old or older."
Her: "So? It's not like any of that matters."
Me: "Would you take your son to see an R-Rated movie?"
Her:"No, i would never!"
Me:"Well, if you buy that, you might as well go buy some tickets for one...they'd be a lot cheaper"
Her:*bewildered look on her face*
Me: "Now, if i were you, i'd go put that back on the shelf"
Her: *puts the game on the shelf*
Me: "Good, no go find a game appropriate for your son."
Her:*leaves the store instead, not believing what just happened*
After that, everyone in the store gave me a round of applause, and the people in front of me allowed me to get ahead of them. I'm now regarded as a hero for being that brave.
But the moral of the story is : CHECK THE BACK OF THE BOX. Get educated about what the symbols mean, and we won't have to listen to any more of this stupidity, and i won't have to publicly humiliate you
Correlation, causation and violent games
Submitted on April 18th, 2008 by BenPeople have been positing a link between imaginary violence and real-world violence for decades. But it's always elusive. Col. David Grossman, a former U.S. Army psychologist and author of On Killing and Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill, is among the loudest critics of violent video games in America. He argues that that games like Doom and Grand Theft Auto condition kids to kill in the same way the military trains and conditions soldiers to kill in combat. Grossman's work came to prominence after the Columbine massacre.
But I think Gerard Jones, author of the excellent Killing Monsters, effectively dismantles Grossman's argument. Jones notes, for example, that "All the military training Grossman described takes place in an authoritarian environment in which the soldiers know full well that the purpose of the game is to make them better killers; they generally want to cooperate (especially in a volunteer army), and every message they hear is 'Kill for your country.' What our kids are doing with their video games is playing, and they know it."
But the real problem with Grossman's argument, and that is the exploding popularity of video games has had no significant impact on actual crime.
This chart seems to illustrate the lack of correlation between video game sales and crime nicely. Some clever wag might tweak John Lott a little and suggest that more video games mean less crime.
We know that kids mimic adults. What we cannot say, however, is that all kids mimic video games. Maybe some do. Small percentages do not make an epidemic, or require sweeping public policy changes, or necessitate product bans.
I am a gamer
Submitted on April 18th, 2008 by Squizo21My name is Clayton Trimble, I have spent enough money on video games to buy a cheep car, I have virtually killed people with weapons ranging from interstellar artillery to buck knives, and I have never committed a violent crime in my life.
There are millions of people in America just like me.
If you don't want this material in your child's hand's then don't buy it, but don't try and force a law that will punish other people who want to play the game.
All responsibility resides on the parents. I know it's not easy, but I hate to break it to you but it never was. If your child commits a crime it is YOUR fault. Don't blame other things that YOU should be paying attention to.
P.S. Am I the only one who can see a perfect resemblance between arguments against video games and arguments against Rock and Roll?
Videogames and link to aggressive behavior
Submitted on April 18th, 2008 by helen hawkIt is a known fact that children mimic behavior and sounds they see and hear. Not only violent behavior is contained in these video games, the content is loaded with rude behavior. I believe we can all agree that our society has become ruder than ever before. Yes, movies, TV and music influence behavior that mimics what is seen and heard by our children. The question really becomes - can we afford to take a chance on whether or not violence in any media cause violent tendencies in our children and youth. In his book, Manners and Violence, Ignacio Gotz makes the valid argument that there is a direct connection between lack of manners and violence and common sense tells us that this is true. We all can agree that children mimic adults. It is our moral obligation to be good role models for our children because they did not ask to come here, our actions brought them here and we are responsible for whether or not they end up having successful life outcomes. It is irresponsible of us, all of us, to fail them by not protecting them from violence in any form. When are we going to begin doing the right thing? If not now, when?
Why is it always on video games
Submitted on April 18th, 2008 by AnonymousThere is so much violence on TV that it is probably that the TV contributes more than half of the violence seen. Most of this should come down to morals which should be enforced by parents that parent and do not let the TV do the parenting for them.
The effect of video games
Submitted on April 17th, 2008 by Nguyen.I myself am a gamer, and though I admit that I stick mostly to the world of Mario and Zelda, I have had my forays into violent games.
I also agree that responsibility is completely on the parents. The ratings are there for a reason. If that game is rated M for mature, then don't get it for your third grader. Also, ask the parents of children that your children play with to not let them play the games.
As to the links between video games and violent crimes, I have a theory, although it's probably wrong:
If 70% of kids play video games, and a kid commits a violent crime,
there is a 70% chance that the criminal has played video games.
I believe that to allow the violence in the video games to compel you to commit violent acts, a pre-existing instability probably was already present.
I agree with the previous
Submitted on April 17th, 2008 by AnonymousI agree with the previous posts, that indeed the responsibility is on the parents. Tho not a parent myself i do have little cousins who always want to play GTA3 but i refuse to let them due to their immaturity.
It really isn't hard to simply say "no, your not of age." Yes your son or daughter may complain, possibly even kick and scream (which should be more indication that they really shouldn't be playing a violent game,) but in the long run it will be worth it.
However, i do agree that video games indeed due spark violent behavior but i feel they are given a bad rap. A violent video game is no different then a violent movie. Go on youtube and watch the videos about the 6 girls who lured another teenager into their home and then proceeded to pummel her. The comments you will read on the video are nothing more then hopes to commit the same atrocity to the 6 guilty teens. Also after watching never back down on the date of its release, i saw two fights ensue afterwards, instigated by individuals who were in the theater. Both those videos in my opinion should not be watched by a child, and it is a parents responsibility to ensure that indeed, that is the case.
Overall i feel that games are only taking a bad rap because they're the new guy in media town, and where it's succeeding, others want to seem it fall. Peace.
Parents, parents, parents...
Submitted on April 17th, 2008 by Anonymousthe only reason this is an issue is because KIDS have their hands on this game.. if parents would do their job and watch the ratings, then none of this would come up.. blame is 100% on parents IF any violence was to come outta these games.. I could see problems arising with younger kids in the pre and early teen years.. no problems at all when it's in the hands of the right age group.
All I can say is.
Submitted on April 17th, 2008 by The Big KlosowskiI've got my copy of GTA IV on pre-order for PS3. I can't wait.
Clinton is wrong.
Submitted on April 17th, 2008 by AnonymousVideo games do no more to make parenting more difficult than the "Lone Ranger" radio show did back in the ...what was it, '50s? '60s?
If you don't want your kids to play GTA - a game which is made for, targeted at, and rated for adults (with a M-for-Mature rating in the states), then don't let them play it. Tell them not to, even if their friends are. Explain that you don't like the violence in it and would prefer they stick to something less realistic like, say, Zelda or Metroid, or Ratchet & Clank, or whatever. If you've raised your kids to not be idiots, they'll listen and at least understand your thinking, and realize that you're still letting them play games with violence, just not the gritty hardcore ones.
If you haven't raised your kids to not be idiots, well, that's your own fault, and frankly it's not the rest of the country's job to raise them for you just because you're too damn lazy to do it yourself.
My name is Dave, and I'm a nonviolent gamer.