UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL. This essay explores the link between exposure to violent video games and aggression. What this essay was praised on: (1) Critical analysis - "exceptionally strong critical analysis which is well referenced"; (2) Introduction - "includes all the key elements such as definitions ...
A really useful exemplar essay. I've always struggled with critical analysis and this essay provides loads of helpful ideas (i.e., points of critique and how to integrate them). Would definitely recommend to any psychology uni student!
Seller
Follow
lilyjames
Reviews received
Content preview
‘Exposure to violent video games causes aggressive behaviour.’
Word count: 2267
This paper will review literature that has explored the claim, ‘Exposure to violent
video games causes aggressive behaviour’, and then propose a new research study to test it.
Aggression is one of the central concepts which underpins this claim; it has many definitions
and interpretations that vary between societies and cultures. The version of aggression that
will be used as a baseline for this paper can be summarized as, “behaviour directed towards
another individual carried out with the proximate (immediate) intent to cause harm”
(Anderson and Huesmann, 2003). Another popular definition of aggression is from social
psychologist Bandura, he defined it as, “behaviour that results in personal injury or
destruction of property” (Bandura, 1973, p.42). During the 1960s, Bandura’s new ideas
around behaviour had many people shift from the largely founded behavioural view to the
social learning theory (SLT). The main premise was that learning occurs through copying the
behaviour of others; children observe aggressive behaviour in others and how they respond is
dependent on what the consequences of aggression were. These ideas of behaviour
acquisition can be closely related to many societal issues, which will be discussed in the
following paper.
Many of the video games played by today’s society are largely dominated by violence
in the form of harming or killing (Hanninger & Thompson, 2004; Smith, Lachlan, &
Tamborini, 2003). Across the past few decades this has turned into a highly politized issue,
with scientists and the general public debating over the influences violent video games can
have on behaviour. On one hand, it is argued that violent video games can lead to an increase
in the player’s aggressiveness. Anderson and Bushman (2001) found that violent video games
not only increased aggressive behaviour of both children and adults, but also heightened
aggression-related thoughts and feelings. There are multiple studies that have suggested
similar results; that exposure to violence in media, particularly video games, can lead to short
and long-term increases in aggression (Huesmann, Moise-Titus, Podolski & Eron, 2003;
1
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller lilyjames. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $19.34. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
