A just-released research report claims that playing violent video games makes players "comfortably numb" to the pain and suffering of others. The study, conducted by University of Michigan professor Brad Bushman and Iowa State University professor Craig Anderson, appears in the March 2009 issue of Psychological Science. Both Bushman and Anderson have previously published research with negative findings about violent games. A press release describes the research methodology employed in the new report:
320 college students played either a violent or a nonviolent video game for approximately 20 minutes. A few minutes later, they overheard a staged fight that ended with the "victim" sustaining a sprained ankle and groaning in pain.
People who had played a violent game took significantly longer to help the victim than those who played a nonviolent game 73 seconds compared to 16 seconds. People who had played a violent game were also less likely to notice and report the fight. And if they did report it, they judged it to be less serious than did those who had played a nonviolent game. In the second study, the participants were 162 adult moviegoers. The researchers staged a minor emergency outside the theater... The researchers timed how long it took moviegoers to "help"... Participants who had just watched a violent movie took over 26 percent longer to help than either people going into the theater or people who had just watched a nonviolent movie.
People who had played a violent game took significantly longer to help the victim than those who played a nonviolent game 73 seconds compared to 16 seconds. People who had played a violent game were also less likely to notice and report the fight. And if they did report it, they judged it to be less serious than did those who had played a nonviolent game. In the second study, the participants were 162 adult moviegoers. The researchers staged a minor emergency outside the theater... The researchers timed how long it took moviegoers to "help"... Participants who had just watched a violent movie took over 26 percent longer to help than either people going into the theater or people who had just watched a nonviolent movie.
These studies clearly show that violent media exposure can reduce helping behavior. People exposed to media violence are less helpful to others in need because they are 'comfortably numb' to the pain and suffering of others, to borrow the title of a Pink Floyd song.
Some of the most violent games around.. Well according to me anyway
Mortal Kombat (series)
Beat em up style game like street fighter/tekken only this time with extreme violence such as heads being ripping off & spines being ripped out, sure it was not meant to be taken too seriously but on its release it gained instant notoriety.
Beat em up style game like street fighter/tekken only this time with extreme violence such as heads being ripping off & spines being ripped out, sure it was not meant to be taken too seriously but on its release it gained instant notoriety.
Grand Theft Auto (series)
One of the best selling game series of all time with great stories & lots of lifespan the violence in this game is based more on real world rules & maybe that’s why it has gotten such a strong reputation.
One of the best selling game series of all time with great stories & lots of lifespan the violence in this game is based more on real world rules & maybe that’s why it has gotten such a strong reputation.
Manhunt 1 & 2
From the same guys who made GTA this game is brutally violent to the point of number 2 getting an instant ban when it was due to be released. The player controls a death row inmate who gets a chance to win his freedom..by massacring his way through the game. it’s a lot like the film “the running man”.
From the same guys who made GTA this game is brutally violent to the point of number 2 getting an instant ban when it was due to be released. The player controls a death row inmate who gets a chance to win his freedom..by massacring his way through the game. it’s a lot like the film “the running man”.
Killer 7
Playing a lot like & resembling a comic this game was..well disturbing, I still to this day don’t know what was going on in the story. Between the moments of extreme violence & even full blown sex the game just plays really weirdly & definitely plays with your mind a bit, perhaps that’s why it disappeared from the stores so quickly.
Playing a lot like & resembling a comic this game was..well disturbing, I still to this day don’t know what was going on in the story. Between the moments of extreme violence & even full blown sex the game just plays really weirdly & definitely plays with your mind a bit, perhaps that’s why it disappeared from the stores so quickly.
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