Literature Review - Academic Report

There is a body of opinion that states that violent video games can influence real-world violence. This is backed up by Anderson (2003) and CBS News (2005). However, even if they agree on the common concept, they disagree on the specifics. CBS News (2005) says that violent video games are more impressionable on teenagers as opposed to adults, because teenagers’ brains are still developing, but Anderson (2003) states that everyone can be equally affected by violent video games. Anderson (2003) also states that even unrealistic and fantasy violence in video games can also cause people to have increased levels of aggression.

There is also a body of opinion that holds an opposite viewpoint. The Technology Liberation Front (2008) points out that there are problems with the way the press report and investigate the subject of the relationship between violent video games and violence in reality, thereby discrediting the report. Ferguson, C.J. (2007 cited in Texas A&M International University, 2007, 2008) says that there is little or no relationship between violent video games and aggression. He states that “any link between video games and aggression is best explained by “third” variables like family environment or innate aggression.” He also says violent video games may have a number of benefits, including improving hand-eye coordination, being “good vehicles for some kids of education information”, among other things.

References

Anderson, C.A., 2003. Violent video games: myths, facts, and unanswered questions. Psychological Science Agenda, [Online]. 16 (5),
Available at: http://www.apa.org/science/psa/sb-anderson.html
[Accessed 16 October 2009].

CBS News, 2005. Can a video game lead to murder? [Online] (Updated 19 June 2005)
Available at: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/06/17/60minutes/main702599.shtml
[Accessed 19 October 2009].

The Technology Liberation Front, 2008. Video games, violence, & social “science”: another day, another fight. [Online] (Updated 3 November 2008)
Available at: http://techliberation.com/2008/11/03/video-games-violence-social-science-another-day-another-fight/
[Accessed 19 October 2009].

Texas A&M International University, 2007. TAMIU study finds positive results in playing violent video games. [Online] (Updated 16 November 2007)
Available at: http://www.tamiu.edu/newsinfo/11-16-07/article5.shtml
[Accessed 19 October 2009].

Texas A&M International University, 2008. Study by TAMIU professor finds no link between violent video games and aggression. [Online] (Updated 27 March 2008)
Available at: http://www.tamiu.edu/newsinfo/3-27-08/article13.shtml
[Accessed 19 October 2009].