Does Playing Video Games Make Players More Violent?

This book is an academic work which reviews and critiques the research literature concerning violent games and their alleged effects on players. It examines the debates about the potential effects of these games and the divisions between scholars working

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Does Playing

Video Games

Make Players More Violent? 18 Palgrave

Does Playing Video Games Make Players More Violent?

Barrie Gunter

Does Playing Video Games Make Players More Violent?

Barrie Gunter Media and Communication University of Leicester Loughton, Essex, UK

ISBN 978-1-137-57984-3 ISBN 978-1-137-57985-0 DOI 10.1057/978-1-137-57985-0

(eBook)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016944033 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2016 The author(s) has/have asserted their right(s) to be identified as the author(s) of this work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Printed on acid-free paper This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Macmillan Publishers Ltd, London.

CONTENTS

1

1

What Are the Concerns About Mediated Violence?

2

How Much Exposure Do Children Have to Violence in Video Games?

31

3

What Are the Effects That Cause Concern?

53

4

Is There a Link Between Playing Video Games and Social Violence?

93

5

Can Playing Video Games Really Trigger Aggression?

115

6

Can Video Games Influence Levels of Real Violence?

147

7

Can Video Games Promote Good Behaviour?

165

8

Are Some Players More Susceptible Than Others to Video Game Effects?

195

Do Players Respond Similarly to All Video Violence?

223

9

v

vi

10

11

CONTENTS

What Is the Overall State of Evidence Concerning the Effects of Violent Video Games

239

Do Video Games Need to Be Better Regulated?

261

Index

283

CHAPTER 1

What Are the Concerns About Mediated Violence?

This book is about video games and violence. Video games, or computer or electronic games as they are also known, represent a major source of entertainment for millions of players around the world. These games—as mass entertainment products—became popular during the late twentieth century. The initial products made for home consumption had very simple formats