Can Video Games Cause Violence?

The American Psychological Association said that while there was “no single risk factor” to blame for aggression, violent video games did contribu

17:24 18 August 2015

A recent study conducted by the American Psychological Association suggests that there’s a link between violent video games and aggression. The study, which reviewed hundreds of other studies and papers published between 2005 and 2013, concluded that while there was “ no single risk factor” to blame for aggression, violent games did contribute.

 

"The research demonstrates a consistent relation between violent video game use and increases in aggressive behaviour, aggressive cognitions and aggressive affect, and decreases in pro-social behaviour, empathy and sensitivity to aggression.”

 

"It is the accumulation of risk factors that tends to lead to aggressive or violent behaviour. The research reviewed here demonstrates that violent video game use is one such risk factor."

 

Meanwhile, more than 200 academics have criticised the findings. Dr Mark Coulson, associate professor of psychology at Middlesex University, said: "I fully acknowledge that exposure to repeated violence may have short-term effects - you would be a fool to deny that - but the long-term consequences of crime and actual violent behaviour, there is just no evidence linking violent video games with that.”

 

He added: "If you play three hours of Call of Duty you might feel a little bit pumped, but you are not going to go out and mug someone."