University of Iowa publishes book linking violent games and behavior

Iowa State University‘s Dr. Craig A. Anderson steps into the limelight today with the release of his new book, “Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents: Theory, Research, and Public Policy”. The book delves into the correlation between violent video games and aggressive behavior among children, and cites three studies to confirm this link.

The first study conducted tested 161 9- to 12-year-olds and 354 college students by making both groups play both violent and non-violent video games. According to the study results, non-violent games raised aggression levels among the participants as much as violent games.

The second study was conducted via survey on 189 high school students. It found that those who played more violent video games developed more hostile personalities, were less forgiving, considered violent behavior to be normal, and behaved more aggressively.

The book’s third study was conducted on 430 children in grades three to five. This study found that that children who played violent games more often were aggressive both physically and verbally later on in the school year.

The book is currently being published by the Oxford University Press, and was co-authored by Douglas A. Gentile and Katherine E. Buckley. Anderson and Gentile are expected to present their book’s findings at the Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting in Boston on March 29 to April 1.

It will be recalled that Dr. Anderson’s previous studies relating video games to violent behavior were used as part of gaming legislation in Michigan, which called for the restriction of violent games to minors. The bill was subsequently junked by District Judge George Caram Steeh.

And while we report this latest publication on the never-ending discussion regarding violent gaming and human behavior, make sure to read up on other related views to help balance out your perspective. We recommend sociologist Karen Sternheimer‘s previous analysis as a starting point.

Iowa State University‘s Dr. Craig A. Anderson steps into the limelight today with the release of his new book, “Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents: Theory, Research, and Public Policy”. The book delves into the correlation between violent video games and aggressive behavior among children, and cites three studies to confirm this link.

The first study conducted tested 161 9- to 12-year-olds and 354 college students by making both groups play both violent and non-violent video games. According to the study results, non-violent games raised aggression levels among the participants as much as violent games.

The second study was conducted via survey on 189 high school students. It found that those who played more violent video games developed more hostile personalities, were less forgiving, considered violent behavior to be normal, and behaved more aggressively.

The book’s third study was conducted on 430 children in grades three to five. This study found that that children who played violent games more often were aggressive both physically and verbally later on in the school year.

The book is currently being published by the Oxford University Press, and was co-authored by Douglas A. Gentile and Katherine E. Buckley. Anderson and Gentile are expected to present their book’s findings at the Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting in Boston on March 29 to April 1.

It will be recalled that Dr. Anderson’s previous studies relating video games to violent behavior were used as part of gaming legislation in Michigan, which called for the restriction of violent games to minors. The bill was subsequently junked by District Judge George Caram Steeh.

And while we report this latest publication on the never-ending discussion regarding violent gaming and human behavior, make sure to read up on other related views to help balance out your perspective. We recommend sociologist Karen Sternheimer‘s previous analysis as a starting point.