Research: Violent video games may alter brain function

[Gamerforlife]

I'm not gonna say that I agree or disagree with these findings, just throwing it out there for discussion

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... function/1

[sheath]

I've heard this before and consider it a relatively true fact. What we expose ourselves to on a regular basis "rewires" our brains to be able to handle those circumstances more readily. Whether or not exposure to violence makes us more violent is going to be absolutely related to our own world view and sense of ethics.

[Inazuma]

So do they alter brain function in a positive or negative way? I'd like to think that I am less violent because I play video games.

[isiolia]

So do they alter brain function in a positive or negative way? I'd like to think that I am less violent because I play video games.

The study showed changes in areas of the brain involved in "inhibition and emotional modulation". 'course, they also didn't seem to have a control group playing nonviolent games at all, much less action oriented ones.

It reads to me like it's not so much making people violent, as it is reducing emotional self-control, which in turn might result in outbursts that would otherwise be contained. What I would wonder is if it's less that there's violent content, and more the result of fast-paced competition.

[The Last Horseman]

I haven't read the article, but I know for a fact I get more angry when I don't have violent video games/calming games. I have some anger problems at times, and killing things in extreme gore makes that go away...

[MrAverageRetro]

I do not believe it one bit I mean I played Mortal Kombat 3 and Killer Instinct when I was 4 and Grand Theft Auto Vice City when I was like 8 or 9 years old I owned them and still do but yet it has not affected me in anyway and yeah when I play violent video games I am less violent it releases all of my stress from the day and like isiolia said I quote "The study showed changes in areas of the brain involved in "inhibition and emotional modulation". 'course, they also didn't seem to have a control group playing nonviolent games at all, much less action oriented ones.
"

[Hatta]

Of course it alters brain function. Everything you do alters brain function. I don't think anyone would have predicted otherwise. Activity induced changes in parts of the brain are consistent with both positive and negative and neutral effects. This data doesn't give support to any hypothesis other than "learning changes the brain".

This is just blatant propaganda. Find a completely obvious result, and phrase it in a way that scares people. Absolutely typical MO for prohibitionists.

[MrAverageRetro]

Of course it alters brain function. Everything you do alters brain function. I don't think anyone would have predicted otherwise. Activity induced changes in parts of the brain are consistent with both positive and negative and neutral effects. This data doesn't give support to any hypothesis other than "learning changes the brain".

This is just blatant propaganda. Find a completely obvious result, and phrase it in a way that scares people. Absolutely typical MO for prohibitionists.

What I was just trying to say is I do not believe it causes people to be more violent unless raised incorrectly which is then the parents fault not the game

[AznKhmerBoi]

anything that you see and do in life alters your brain, its just up to you to distinguish the good and bad and choose what you want to inherit.

[Sideroller]

So do they alter brain function in a positive or negative way? I'd like to think that I am less violent because I play video games.

The study showed changes in areas of the brain involved in "inhibition and emotional modulation". 'course, they also didn't seem to have a control group playing nonviolent games at all, much less action oriented ones.

It reads to me like it's not so much making people violent, as it is reducing emotional self-control, which in turn might result in outbursts that would otherwise be contained. What I would wonder is if it's less that there's violent content, and more the result of fast-paced competition.

I would have to agree with this. I feel loss of control over emotion playing ANY video game - not just violent ones. Being forced to compete with a computer - or even other person - who reacts faster than you/can play better than you, just gets your blood pumping so to speak.

I know because I get twice as angry playing Tetris Battle on facebook than I do playing Resident Evil or whatever.