Violent Video Games and Mental Health

[JackSparrow]

There have been a lot of studies on how playing violent video games affect the brain. Even though it is contested that there is any connection between violent games with aggression and empathy. However, a recent study has discovered that violent video games can desensitize the player to painful images. In other words, people playing violent games are insensitive to painful imagery.

In a study performed in Germany, researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on people who played violent games and it was discovered their brains had reduced neutral response to violent stimuli. In the study, 56 students participated. The study was published in the Psychology of Popular Media.


Another study, performed at the University of New South Wales, also confirmed that people who often play violent games are less impacted by violent images.

 

[Arnold]

The violent game content can lead the players to mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, PSTD, ADHD, or even autism that is according to a report published in the National Library of Medicine. Interestingly, most of the research on this topic only involves adolescents and young people. There are not enough data to back up whether adults get affected by violent games.

 

[ZandraJoi]

I believe video games can contribute to a decrease in one's mental health. Most games are so life-like nowadays that people become desensitized to what's going on around them. They have a harder time grasping what's real & what's fake.

 

[Bizdustry]

I don't think Violent Video Games impacts mental health. Possibly, it will if you are under 18 where your brain and mental capacity is still growing, but as an adult it could actually have an adverse effect of "escapism". It really depends on the person in my opinion.

 

[Fidelia]

There is no way that you would keep playing violent video games that you would not be desensitized to seeing people in pains. The more you keep playing those violent games, the more you lose empathy for seeing people in pains.

 

[Hazel]

I have noticed that violent video games can heighten aggression or anxiety in some, but for me, they’re often a stress outlet. Moderation, context, and personal disposition shape their mental health impact more than the games themselves.

 

[Nomad]

There has been no evidence of connection between violence in video games and violence in adults. In other words, there has been a lot of studies on how violent video games affect adults and there has been no conclusive evidence on violent video games affecting adults. However, there have been some studies that have established that violence in video games have affected kids negatively.

 

[eLdavis]

Using myself as an example, i have played a lot of violent video games over the years, and it has not affected me in anyway, i do not have violent behavior, nor do i enjoy violence as well. I believe for adults who get influenced by this simply had the tendency to be violent even before playing those games. The game just serves as a trigger.

 

[BrighterDays]

I can completely understand the studies. Whatever you surround yourself with you become more alike. I'm not saying that video games will make you violent or that they will make you kill. What I'm saying is that your brain will get used to solving an issue or doing a repetitive task so when something similar to a video game happens in real like your first thoughts may be to react like you would in the video game, that's not to say that you WILL react that way but you will think about it.

The same thing goes for what we watch, statistically if you watch shows in the drama genre you're going to have more drama in your life. You get accustomed of drama and may unintentionally start drama because it is something that your brain is familiar with.

I can see how video games & the things we watch impact our mental health and our views on things/subjects. I think if people were more aware of this it could help them out tremendously.

 

[Jayson]

It could be the case with many. In fact, people looking at violence the time would get to the point where nothing is shocking.

Nonetheless, though, I really believe in the case of kids playing video games, the kids were already messed up before the game. In other words, the parents failed to raise them well.

I guess a compromise would be saying that a mix of desensitization and beforehand personality traits would create the reaction to video games.