Fact Check: Violent video games and movies doesn't make mentality sane people violent

Fact Check: "Violent video games and movies doesn't make mentality sane people violent"

What We Know

The claim that violent video games and movies do not make mentally sane people violent is contradicted by a substantial body of research. Studies have shown that exposure to violent video games is associated with increased aggression in players. For instance, a longitudinal study involving 980 participants found that not only does playing violent video games increase aggression in the player, but it also affects their social network, suggesting that friends of players may also exhibit increased aggression (Greitemeyer, 2019). Furthermore, a meta-analysis of 24 studies indicated a clear relationship between engaging with violent video games and aggressive behavior in children and adolescents, affirming that while the association may be modest, it is significant enough to warrant concern (The Lancet Regional Health, 2023).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that violent video games and movies do not influence aggression is weak and largely anecdotal. In contrast, numerous studies have demonstrated a consistent link between violent media and aggressive behavior. For example, the General Aggression Model posits that violent video games can increase aggressive thoughts and feelings, which may lead to aggressive behaviors (Greitemeyer, 2019).

While some sources acknowledge that individual differences, such as personality traits and environmental factors, may play a role in how violent media affects behavior, the prevailing research indicates that the impact of violent video games is significant enough to be considered a contributing factor to aggression (Huesmann, 2007). Additionally, while there are studies that report no significant effects of violent video games on aggression, these are often outnumbered by research that finds a positive correlation (Anderson et al., 2010).

The reliability of the sources supporting the claim against the influence of violent media is questionable, as they often lack rigorous empirical support compared to the extensive research backing the connection between violent video games and aggression. For instance, while some articles suggest that video games can be part of normal development, they do not refute the evidence that links violent gameplay to increased aggression (Harvard Health, 2023).

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that violent video games and movies do not make mentally sane people violent is not supported by the majority of scientific research. Numerous studies have established a correlation between exposure to violent media and increased aggression, both in individuals and their social networks. While individual variability exists, the overall evidence suggests that violent video games can indeed contribute to aggressive behavior.

Fact Check: Violent video games and movies doesn't make mentality sane people violent