Grace Shin, "Video Games: A Cause of Violence and Aggression." January 4, 2008. Web. January 30, 2011. http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1723.
In the article "Video Games: A Cause of Violence and Aggression" by Grace Shin states that video games are a cause for violence. Grace states that the game Doom was played by the two students in the famous Columbine shooting. She believes that this may have been the reason for the shooting. There is interesting information in the article about studies that state that video games make kids have more violent thoughts. There are a few good arguments about young kids playing video games. There is also some points where there research is not correct. Grace states that violence is on the rise when in reality its the complete opposite.
I see why Grace thinks kids have more violent thoughts if they play video games. I know plenty of kids that play video games and have some really abnormal thoughts. Video games could be a contributing factor for the Columbine shooting. Its a very interesting point on there reason for the Columbine shooting. That's only one side of why they might have randomly shot people. I agree that young kids might have more violent thoughts then other kids that don't play violent games. Kids are still in a developing stage. They don't have very much experience in the world they live in. I do think it affects kids at a young age. Does it affect them as they get older? I don't think so.
Kids at young age could get affected by violent video games. As a person gets older they will learn every thing they see in a video game very quickly. The ratings on video games are just fine as they are. If a parent chooses to buy a kid a violent game that is there choice. Are video games the cause of the Columbine shooting? I highly doubt it. There are rumors that the shooter lost his girlfriend. That can easily be a cause for ones anger. The statement Grace made on violence is rising is completely false if you look at statistics. Violence is decreasing instead of increasing, so when people state that video games are a cause of violence I don't believe it. Grace also states that more people need anger management. I don't think this is a cause of video games. My whole life I have played video games ever since I was little. I played video games where you run around with a sword and slice people apart. Do I have anger problems? Ask my wife she tries to make me angry cause she thinks its impossible. Do I have any criminal activity? My record is clean even though occasionally I like to go online and entertain myself with violence. I know people from when I was a kid that have criminal records and bad anger problems. They don't play video games. I believe the reason for violence is depending on the way a kid grows up and his/her surroundings. Violent video games might affect some people but a very small portion.
I have a few questions about the article. Where did you found some of your research on the increased violence? All research I have done on violence show that it is decreasing as the years go on. Did you check all the reasons as to why the Columbine shooting happened? There could be so many different solutions as to why it happened to assume that it was because of a video game is very close minded. Do kids that play violent games turn out to be violent when they are older? I would like to see a long term study as to the affects. The only research I see is on the short term affects. My last question is what brings you to dislike violent video games? I do agree on your part for young kids. Video games should be rated just like movies are.
Group Response 1
ReplyDelete*MLA Work Cited:
According to MLA, the source should have been cited with the last name first, then first name, name of the article, and the date is day, month, year. I did the same thing too, listing first name first, and month/day/year. Other than that, you provided all the necessary information.
*Compared to prompts:
The subject of video games and whether that causes violence among kids is a great topic, whether in favor or against, though a little off from the Discovery Center. You could add to it that, as a positive alternative to video games, parents should be encouraged to take their families to the Discovery Center. This helps tie the topic in with the Discovery Center without stretching it in order to make it work, if that makes sense.
As far as the topic itself, I have a few comments. In the second paragraph, you discuss how video games could have been a contributing factor in the Columbine shooting, and how violent video games may alter kids at a young age. Then in the next paragraph, you shift to the opposite side of the argument, stating you don’t believe violent video games to be the cause. For some, the second paragraph may be a bit misleading, implying that you somewhat favor the notion that violent video games may have caused real violence, when in the next paragraph you start by outright saying the very opposite. If you clarify your opinion early on, it can avoid confusion for readers later on.
A few comments I have are concerning your opinion that violent video games do not cause violence.
First, can people only be affected by violent video games when they are young? Can’t a young adult or an adult also be affected by violent video games? In my own personal opinion, adults can also be affected by these games, but probably not as much as kids.
Second, you gave us an example of how you personally have not been affected or have anger problems due to video games. I, however, live with someone that has clearly been affected. He gets very angry by video games, seems to have played games all of his life, and going back to my first point, his own anger caused by video games affects everyone else. So it may be handy to keep in mind that, while your own personal experience may be on the one side, readers may have their own experiences in opposite of yours.
Third, you stated that statistically the article was wrong and that violence was decreasing. What is your source for this information? Stating that, according to statistics, the article is completely wrong without stating those statistics and sourcing them does not build any credibility for your case. It instead becomes an opinion. Having a credible source to back this claim would definitely help your argument against the article here.
Aside from these comments, I thought it was an excellent Extended Bibliography and a great topic that more people should be talking about.
Taylor Coleman