Violent Video Games and Desensitization

Violent Video Games and Scripts

How does this relate to violent video games?  Most violent video games are based on a script that says that violence is justified, fun, and has no negative consequences.  If a child plays a violent video game over and over and develops a behavioral script based on this experience, then his or her response to violence in real life may be influenced accordingly:  The child will be less sensitive to the true consequences of violent actions, and violence may seem to be a reasonable choice in many situations.

Desensitization

Research on desensitization to violence and exposure to violent video games is relatively limited, but one study found that people with more past exposure to violent video games have brainwaves that indicate desensitization to violence.  Several studies with children indicate that more exposure to violent video games is associated with lower empathy and stronger support for using violence to solve problems.  However, researchers agree that more research is needed to understand how exposure to violent video games could lead to desensitization.  Playing violent video games is only one factor in the development of desensitization to violence.  Other risk factors and influences are needed to make this happen.  However, desensitization may be one of the most important unintended consequences of exposure to violent video games because desensitization can affect many social interactions, including a person’s willingness to respond to others in need.  The potential for desensitization is another reason that it is critical for parents to be aware of the content of their children’s video games and monitor game-playing.

References

Bartholow, B. D., Bushman, B. J., & Sestir, M. A. (2006). Chronic violent video game exposure and desensitization to violence: Behavioral and event-related brain potential data. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 42, 532-539.

Dill, K.(2009). How fantasy becomes reality: Seeing through media influence. Oxford.

Funk, J. B. (2008). Video games. In V. Strasburger, B. Wilson, & A. Jordan (Eds.), Children, adolescents, and the media (2^nd ed) (pp. 435-470). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Kirsh, S. J. (2006). Children, adolescents, and media violence: A critical look at the research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.