Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Study: "Brain sees violent video games as real life"
El Capitan rolling through the LBC back in the day
I don't believe this study one bit. Just because I pop caps in the asses of virtual Mo-Fos does not mean I actually become a Gangsta in Grand Theft Auto. I know the difference between gaming and reality, and I'm confident most gamers can tell the difference.
The study claims that gamers actually feel the same emotions of violence when playing violent games. Again I disagree. I've 187'd a few gangsta haters in my day and the games feel nothing like the real thing.
I'm tired of us video game fans being stereotyped. It hasn't stopped since the Pac-Man days when critics claimed us Atari zombies roamed the streets late at night dressed in bright yellow pillow cases looking for ghosts. Give me a break... we only did that on Halloween.
posted by El Capitan at 5:06 PM
4 Comments:
Andrew said...
I believe the emotions part, but I can't believe that it would ever cause problems. The games are designed to make one feel those same, or at least close to the same, kind of emotions because it enhances the playing experience. But any intelligent gamer(i.e. not a homicidal psychopath) knows when to turn those emotions off and can tell between the real world and the virtual one.
7:44 PM
said...
Yeah, but don't you think that the complete and utter violence is a bit much for small children? Don't you think that these kids are being totally desensitized by it?
Do you have kids?
MyAdidas
El Capitan said...
MyAdidas...
Yes, the game violence is a bit much for 'small' children, but not older teens and adults. The games today are rated for age/maturity level which helps parents like me who's kids cover the entire spectrum of ages.
On a positive note, it is really fun to spend an hour here and there blowing your kids up or having them catch you in a car chase... but of course playing ball outside is just as fun.
Allison said...
I have to agree with Andrew, the emotions might be there at the moment of playing. It's just like imagery used by athletes. The brain actually goes through the same neural path firings as if the actions were actually being executed.
On the other hand, I find it hard to believe that a video game, in an already grounded, stable, teen or young adult, could promote aggressive behavior. My opinion is that violent video games never made anyone more aggressive and it's only a result of what behaviors were encouraged growing up.
But that's only my two cents. I'm no psychologist I only use common sense.
And no, El Capitan, I wasn't trying to be a dope lyricist ;)