RA: Video Game Violence

“Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts, and Unanswered Questions,” was written by Craig A. Anderson. He immediately opens with his educational background. I had to laugh when I read it. So few articles posted on the web these days actually open with their credentials. His creds, in particular, would silence any opposition! He is received a PhD in Psychology from Stanford University and is currently the Department Chair of Psychology at Iowa State University! The article then lists his various achievements in his 40+ years of studying media violence. All in all, the article does a great job in summing up the fact: argue with him, and you’re an idiot!

His article then goes through and lists the typical myths about video games:

Myth 1: Violent video game research ahs yielded very mixed results.

Myth 2: The studies that find significant effects are the weakest methodologically.

Myth 3: Laboratory experiments are irrelevant.

Myth 4: Field experiments are irrelevant towards aggression.

Myth 5: Correlation studies are irrelevant.

He then goes through one by one, with proof, citing all of his sources on why all of those are false. I have to admit, the article was fairly convincing—Despite the fact that never once does he say: Violent video games cause violence. It seems that he effectively beats around the bush and describes everything but that exact statement. Well done, Stanford graduate, well done.