Violence in the Video Games - Essay Example

Violent video games fuel aggression among players; however, in actual practice, there is no theory to strongly support this assumption (Sherry, 2007). Young children and teenagers are exposed to violence through many sources with media and video games being the major ones. The exposure to violence from TV and films is generally considered as “passive violence” as the audience only watches it. Although it may inspire some to enact what they have seen, generally the impact of violent video games is supposed to be deeper. This is because video games allow the players to emulate. Psychologists have conflicting views over violent video games; some think that violence in video games is a good outlet for rage and aggression among the players and those who give vent to their feelings through it are less likely to commit an offense which could lead earn them a prison sentence (Cogburn & Silcox, 2009). And some consider violent video games as a source that can destroy the morals of the young. The teenage assailants who shot their schoolmates in various incidents in the United States had quite a few things in common; one of them being exposed to violent video games (Greene et al, 2007).

Psychologists may be divided on their opinions about the influence of video games over children but common sense dictates that violent video games are harmful to children because from an ethical point of view wiping out enemies with weapons does seem gruesome. More recent research conducted by psychologists showed that the playing of violent video games increased the aggressive thoughts and actions of children (Cogburn & Silcox, 2009). The players get addicted to the games and their academic performance is also adversely affected. When a child spends an average of 10 hours a week in front of the screen, his/her studies are bound to get affected. The health of the child also deteriorates as the long intervals of time spent in front of the screen results in poor eyesight and other physical ailments. On the other hand, Anderson and Warburton (2011) quoting Kirsch stated that video games provide a useful distraction to children undergoing difficult and painful medical procedures.

The psychologist can also raise the important issue of ethical problems due to violent video games. For instance, in some games the opponents belong to certain ethnic groups; Russians, Germans, and Koreans have been depicted as enemies in certain video games and the players are supposed to annihilate them. Similarly, women are projected as weak and ultra-sexual. This gives rise to hatred and cultural prejudices and the children playing these games usually see the ethnic groups as enemies of the West (Cogburn & Silcox, 2009). However, no one can deny the fact that through video games like Battlefield Vietnam many players became aware of the history and sociological facts of the Vietnam War (Cogburn & Silcox, 2009).

The ethical standards chosen here are
2.01(a) Boundaries of Competence
Psychologists provide services, teach and conduct research with populations and in areas only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience, consultation, study, or professional experience.
2.01(c) Psychologists planning to provide services, teach or conduct research involving populations, areas, techniques, or technologies new to them undertake relevant education, training, supervised experience, consultation, or study.
2.03 Maintaining Competence

Psychologists undertake ongoing efforts to develop and maintain their competence.
As the psychologist does not have any knowledge of the video game in question, first he/she needs to seek detailed information about the game. The parents are already aware of the negative impacts of violent video games on the minds of young children. The psychologist can quote the work done by the renowned psychologist Craig A. Anderson that video games largely affect the thoughts, actions, and behavior of children and consequently rob them of their innocence (Tippit, 2008). However, as no theory that would eventually prove that violent video games lead to aggression and moral and ethical corruption has been developed so far, convincing the parents, teachers, and other community members that the content of this particular video game is not suitable for children will prove to be a bit difficult.
The psychologist can prepare an informative lecture that would discuss the various effects violent video games can have on children and teenagers. The psychologist needs to do in-depth research about both the positive and negative consequences of violent video games but at the same time should be able to show that the negative consequences outweigh the positive ones. The psychologist should use the research and findings of renowned psychologists and some real-life examples such as shootings in schools to prove their point that violent video games desensitize children to suffering, trivialize and glorify violence, and influence children to kill.  Read More