Researcher's New Book Cuts Through the Negative Hype About Video Game Violence
Researcher's New Book Cuts Through the Negative Hype About Video Game Violence
March 2, 2008
Gamers and parents of gamers will likely find Dr. Cheryl Olson's new book reassuring.The Massachusetts General Hospital researcher contradicts much of the standard research on video game violence, offering a real-world approach based on studies of real children. With Grand Theft Childhood (co-authored with Dr. Laurence Kutner) set to release in April, Olson spoke with GameCouch's Terry Bosky:
From the start, our research was designed with parents in mind... we wanted to help parents and policymakers understand what’s normal, when to worry about violent video games, and when video games might benefit some kids.
Olson believes that some of the best-known studies have serious flaws:
The most-publicized studies came from a small group of experimental psychologists, studying college students playing nonviolent or violent games for 15 minutes. It’s debatable whether those studies are relevant to real children, playing self-selected games for their own reasons...
Also, the most-published researchers have built their careers around media violence... [that is] just a small part of what we do, so we could look at the issue with fresh eyes and no agenda.
Olson found that games helped 12-14's sort out their feelings:
This included playing games to “help get my anger out,” to forget problems, to relax, and to feel less lonely... When we began our research, we didn’t fully grasp how politicized and emotional this topic was.
What about the upcoming Grand Theft Auto IV ?
One of the most surprising things in our research was how many kids aged 12 to 14 are playing Grand Theft Auto games; the series was #1 among boys, and #2 among girls. So, parents can assume that their teens will play GTA IV sometime, someplace...
We found is that most children who play GTA don’t see the characters as role models, and don’t see the game as like real life. In fact, the “unreality” is one thing they like about the series. They can test boundaries and try things that, as one boy put it, “hopefully, will never happen to you.
Don't miss the full interview at GameCouch.
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Posted 11/07/09 at 04:23pm
ZippyDSMlee: beemoh:hey its like 60GB porn,400GB anime 100GB games and crap I have took from all my DVDs, I hate waiting on dvds to install stuff..... oh and 40GB of my porn was in the found.000 folder...mostly corrupted.... least I got names of wut needs to be repa
ZippyDSMlee: beemoh:hey its like 60GB porn,400GB anime 100GB games and crap I have took from all my DVDs, I hate waiting on dvds to install stuff..... oh and 40GB of my porn was in the found.000 folder...mostly corrupted.... least I got names of wut needs to be repa
Posted 11/07/09 at 04:18pm
beemoh: @Zip: ...and you'd have to spend all that time re-downloading that porn?
beemoh: @Zip: ...and you'd have to spend all that time re-downloading that porn?
Posted 11/07/09 at 03:34pm
ZippyDSMlee: ggrrrrr......vista lost one of my hard drives and I had a heart attack thinking I lost 1TB of data....
ZippyDSMlee: ggrrrrr......vista lost one of my hard drives and I had a heart attack thinking I lost 1TB of data....
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:58am
JDKJ: Which could be explained by both (a) and (b).
JDKJ: Which could be explained by both (a) and (b).
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:56am
Austin_Lewis: JDKJ: You forgot C) the fact that, for some reason, every time he did something that would suggest he shouldn't be in the military, let alone an officer, higher ups ignored it or let it slide.
Austin_Lewis: JDKJ: You forgot C) the fact that, for some reason, every time he did something that would suggest he shouldn't be in the military, let alone an officer, higher ups ignored it or let it slide.
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:51am
JDKJ: Part of the problem is, I believe, that (a) the Army had a lot of time and money already invested in him and which they were unwilling to simply write-off and (b) an increasing need for the type of skills and services he provided.
JDKJ: Part of the problem is, I believe, that (a) the Army had a lot of time and money already invested in him and which they were unwilling to simply write-off and (b) an increasing need for the type of skills and services he provided.
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:48am
JDKJ: And that even if he was begging not to get cut loose, he was apparently a real good candidate for being cut loose, anyway.
JDKJ: And that even if he was begging not to get cut loose, he was apparently a real good candidate for being cut loose, anyway.
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:11am
JDKJ: @chada: And while Kennedy once noted that there's usually more than enough blame for everyone to get a slice, the possibility that the Army was unwilling to cut loose someone who was asking to get cut loose could be a factor.
JDKJ: @chada: And while Kennedy once noted that there's usually more than enough blame for everyone to get a slice, the possibility that the Army was unwilling to cut loose someone who was asking to get cut loose could be a factor.
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:07am
ZippyDSMlee: *noms on his feet*..nomnomnomnom*droooll* ...wuuutttttt uuu looking at?
ZippyDSMlee: *noms on his feet*..nomnomnomnom*droooll* ...wuuutttttt uuu looking at?
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:05am
JDKJ: I'm no psychologist, but I'm told that crazy people have a tendency to do crazy things.
JDKJ: I'm no psychologist, but I'm told that crazy people have a tendency to do crazy things.
Posted 11/07/09 at 10:03am
chadachada321: Whoops, was out of the convo for awhile. I do wonder what type of ammo he used etc, but the real issue is WHY he did it, not HOW
chadachada321: Whoops, was out of the convo for awhile. I do wonder what type of ammo he used etc, but the real issue is WHY he did it, not HOW
Posted 11/07/09 at 09:56am
JDKJ: But if it turns out that they actually did, they'll have Hell to pay.
JDKJ: But if it turns out that they actually did, they'll have Hell to pay.
Posted 11/07/09 at 09:45am
JDKJ: And I'd tend to rule out the possibilty of FN Herstal supplying restricted ammunition to someone merely because they're ordering it from a military base.
JDKJ: And I'd tend to rule out the possibilty of FN Herstal supplying restricted ammunition to someone merely because they're ordering it from a military base.
Posted 11/07/09 at 09:37am
JDKJ: I know you don't leave your gated community and get around much in dark alleys, so you may be surprised to learn that there's this thing called "the black market" where, if you've got enough money, ain't too much of anything which can't be bought.
JDKJ: I know you don't leave your gated community and get around much in dark alleys, so you may be surprised to learn that there's this thing called "the black market" where, if you've got enough money, ain't too much of anything which can't be bought.
Posted 11/07/09 at 09:36am
Austin_Lewis: Or, maybe he or someone else at the base ordered the SS190 from FN Herstal.
Austin_Lewis: Or, maybe he or someone else at the base ordered the SS190 from FN Herstal.
Posted 11/07/09 at 09:32am
Austin_Lewis: the hands of private owners. They run about 300 dollars minimum for a box of 50, and boxes of AP 5.7 are extremely scarce, mainly residing in the hands of Class III stores or individuals who for one reason or another got a demo box of it.
Austin_Lewis: the hands of private owners. They run about 300 dollars minimum for a box of 50, and boxes of AP 5.7 are extremely scarce, mainly residing in the hands of Class III stores or individuals who for one reason or another got a demo box of it.
Posted 11/07/09 at 09:30am
Austin_Lewis: There are other firearms that fire the 5.7. However, I too would like to know where he got the ammo and what kind was used. Maybe Hasan, planning not to live through this, went out and bought one the boxes of SS190 that are floating around in
Austin_Lewis: There are other firearms that fire the 5.7. However, I too would like to know where he got the ammo and what kind was used. Maybe Hasan, planning not to live through this, went out and bought one the boxes of SS190 that are floating around in
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:44am
JDKJ: And it isn't yet clear what type of ammunition Hasan used. It's strange that he purchased a gun but didn't purchase ammunition for it at the same place and time. Especially because the calibre required is peculiar to the actual gun.
JDKJ: And it isn't yet clear what type of ammunition Hasan used. It's strange that he purchased a gun but didn't purchase ammunition for it at the same place and time. Especially because the calibre required is peculiar to the actual gun.
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:40am
JDKJ: We can sit here all day and debate the relative merits. However, I think the events of recent days suggest that an FN Five-Seven ain't exactly the same as that Daisy BB gun you got for Christmas when you were a kid.
JDKJ: We can sit here all day and debate the relative merits. However, I think the events of recent days suggest that an FN Five-Seven ain't exactly the same as that Daisy BB gun you got for Christmas when you were a kid.
Posted 11/07/09 at 08:38am
Austin_Lewis: JDKJ: tumbling can be quite dangerous. However, the rounds that commonly tumbled were variants of the SS90. Civilian ammo tends to tumble far less commonly.
Austin_Lewis: JDKJ: tumbling can be quite dangerous. However, the rounds that commonly tumbled were variants of the SS90. Civilian ammo tends to tumble far less commonly.
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Comments
"The series was #1 among boys, and #2 among girls."
Surprising to know, that those teen girls are so into GTA. Well, when I was in high school teen girl gamers were hard to come by.
On the other hand I would most certainly watch a 'reasoned debate' vs 'wild mudslinging' match between her & jack.
I'm skeptical myself right now, but it'll be interesting to see exactly what was written.
I'm going to laugh if the book makes more sales than Out of Harm's Way.
Since, you know, numbers suggest the exact opposite of videogames promoting criminal children, as do other heavily-gaming nations' considerably lower crime rates.
The only kids who are really negatively effected by the games are those with a pre-disposition to violent or aggressive behavior to being with and usually have really shitty parents and bad upbringings in which case even if the games weren't there for them to play they'd just get their ideas and inspirations from something else, like the violence on the 10:00 news or even the Holy Bible. If anything these games are probably good for older kids and teenagers in some ways by allowing them to release their pent up anger and aggression in a fantasy setting while still knowing that doing these in real life is wrong and stupid.
http://www.grandtheftchildhood.com/GTC/Home.html
If not, just copy and past this URL into your browser.
The vast majority of young gamers DO know the difference between "real" and "reel". The games do help them work through anger, relieve stress and more. Also for many, it's a way to make friends across the globe while in cooperative play or against another player/s in MP. I remember when the call against too much "TV Violence" turning kids to violence with all the Cop and Cowboy shows....This back in the 50s!
I am looking forward to telling other about this book and getting a copy for my own library
Seconded
It's really refreshing to see some unbiased research for a change, and lo and behold, they support what we already new.
Dr. Cheryl Olson ftw
Still though, damn good study *claps*
Including conclusions, basic research lines and authorities?
Theres a fair few people I want to mail this to.
Sadly, this research is likely going to vanish under the agenda rug.
@Strªng?r_Dªng?r
He'll likely take it on TV and rip it up calling it all lies.
That's a great way of putting it. I say we should prosecute all actors who have handled any weapon in a movie and prosecute them "for the children." Its what they're doing to video games, but this one has more factual basis in the "training" than the video game argument does. We can pull it off.
@JT
This study is delicious. You must eat it. Seriously. Eat it, Jack.
The anti-games zealots like the term "hyper-reality" which suggests lawnmower man or matrix type immersion. The media loves the idea, but I can't begin to fathom how anyone would believe in such a concept.
That type of immersion could only come with a holodeck.
An excited wave of "We Were Right!" because one paper pertains to evidence, no matter how compelling in our direction...
Give Me the same blind faith and I'll happily prove the existance of a god and the flatness of the earth...
Apologies for the sudden spur of elation and support, but we have felt a bit...entrenched here in the video gaming community. So when something like this comes about, basically re-enforcing damn near everything that has been posited as the failings of the "video-games equal violence" theory, we tend to get a bit excited.
Truly, we should not be jumping up and down and hailing it until we have examined it, and weighted it for the merit to the person, but, for the time being, let us enjoy an ever so small victory. We'll share the cake, we promise :-).
It's Sarah Connor he was supposed to kill. He was sent back to save John Connor, not kill him.
This... makes sense? What the fuck? Am I awake?
Agenda Pushers/chasers: 0
Hell, I'll think I'll give this book a look-see when it comes out. If they've done a good job, I shall add it to my bookshelf. No kids of my own, but I have some relatives with young kids that might be interested.
We all know it'll go down like that.
Since you came along
You clever thang
Research has defended video games?
Congratulations Dr Olsen, you just killed Jack Thompsons brain.
or killed his lack of brain
woot! i might have to scedule an emergency party!!
True, but that doesn't change the point in the slightest,
That being said though, cue Thompson, PTC, NIMF, Fox Noise, CSM, and CCFC accusing Dr. Olson of being an idustry stooge and a member of the ACLU in 5...4...3...2...
Remember that everyone!
I might as well post the abstracts of her latest journal articles and the ones mentioned in GameCouch in my blog, but don't expect any of my summaries and comments.
Scout: Woo-hoo-hoo!
@Sidewinder: Or if she's a member of the ACLU, oy (On issues such as these, you do NOT want to fuck around with them).
The people against games are so far divorced from their childhoods that they easily forget that they probably did the same thing.
We all as kids and even kids today are still playing predent games such as Cowboys and indians/Cops and Robbers and even "power rangers" or some form of martal art fighting. By everyone's claims...these harmless predent games that kids played for genderations are not considered violent. Where something like GTA is just a digital verson of cops and robbers. Granted kids probably shouldn't be playing GTA but it's just an example of how harmless things are and the way the anti-game bandwagon spins things all the time...a simple game as predent beat up or cowboys and indians is training our kids to be violent when they grow up.
Needed the Heroes reference in there.
the best news so far. :)
I might have to check me out this book.
Is this actual scientific process, with actual studies of actual children playing actual games they actually chose?
...Yes, that was intentionally repetitive. But I thought scienctific process and reality had both been discarded for the sake of agenda and bias. This use of what looks and sounds suspiciously like it might be "science" has short-circuited some linguistic part of my brain.
Don't begrudge us our elation at what even MIGHT be reality intruding upon politically and bad-parentally connected lies. Nobody's throwing "full support" behind anything, we're just very enthusiastic gamers startled into optimism by what sounds like clear-headed analysis in an area important to us.
We already KNOW we're right, we're just rolling our eyes until somebody who actually cares to see reality as it IS demonstrates proof to those who don't know we're right.
Its not the fanatics we need to convince, the moderates & the uncomitted are the real target because its them that either say "Yeah, he's right" or laugh their guts up at overblown histrionics whenever Faux news or jacky boy trot out their traditional 'society has gone to the dogs and [New Thing] is to blame' litany.
As Blackice says, this woman does deserve a medal
Don't forget 'over-educated.'
I just hope that those 5-stars are going to be because her book was well-informed, and not because she rubbed us the right way.
(Got to say I'm gobsmacked and flattered by your comments--thanks a bunch.)
Also, good book or not, Dr. Olson gets some major gold stars in my book for coming to GP and entering the discussion.
Kudos
I'll read the exceperts when I can... the computer I'm on asks me for paswords to enter the site.
Thanks for the sensible words.
Did it get "slash-dotted" or something?
@Dr. Olsen: Thanks for taking the time to produce (hopefully) unbiased and sensible research about this topic (I'll reserve judgement until I read the book, which I just pre-ordered on Amazon...).
I think a lot of adults underestimate a child's ability to separate fact from fiction. I remember a professor who wrote a book (or article, not sure since I can't even remember the name) who talked about how children develop at a very early age something he called "the magic circle of play". Inside the 'circle', you can pretend to do things that are not ok to do when you aren't playing, for instance, 'shoot' your friends while playing 'cowboys and indians'.
It's always amazed and offended me that, even though kids have been playing violent games since there have been kids, now that the games are on a TV screen instead of running around in the back yard, somehow they suddenly become more of a threat to society.
I mean... does anyone ever look at two kittens wrestling together and think, "Gosh, they're going to be killers when they become adult cats". No.
But if the kittens were playing a kitten-wrestling game on a playstation... OMG! Killer Cats Training On Feline Murder Simulators! News at 11!
Thanks Dr. Olson!
I've read the excerpts and I'm impressed. Sadly, much of this is already common sense to the people whose voices aren't loud enough to be heard by politicians and parental groups. Hopefully, though, this book can be our voice.
And on that note, I believe that it's time to fire a good majority of politicians and government heads, and replace them with people who live in the year 2008. Most of these people are still living in 1960, and a handful are wishing that they were residing in the year 708.
I'm tired of the negative press without anyone realizing that kids have been playing shoot-em-up ever since there were guns. When I was little, my parents were very anti-violence. Everything was blocked, and I STILL ran around with other boys with sticks pretending to shoot each other.
How is that any different then a video game?
The only difference is a lower chance of getting hit by a car and the stadard argument of:
"I shot you!"
"Nuh-uh, you missed!"
has been replaced with:
"u r a h4xx0r!"
"lern2play"
sounds like a soft sobbing sound... oh sorry Jack didn't see you there. :P (so that's what that is...)
Looks like a 42 year old nutcase opened fire in a wendys. I wonder what video games he played. Because only people who play video games do these sorts of things.
"This was a triumph
I'm making a note here
HUGE SUCESS!!!
It's hard to contain my satisfaction."
Barack Obama is anti-games?? I never knew that!
His comments suggest he equates videogames with a waste of time and considers them of no viable benefit, but that appears to be sheer ignorance.
He may be biased against videogames simply because of politicians' and others' mistaken spins on videogames, but we can't actually be sure of the degree of his lack of respect for this passtime. So far, he hasn't spouted that ignorance as cause for a federal case against games based on no facts or scientific support, as have the other 2 names in vasudean's list.
Fuck yeah, I want Jack to know this. We don't need moral approval from anybody in this industry. Everytime I load up my copy of Grand Theft Auto San Andreas the veins on my rigid cock contort that much more.
Grand Theft Auto 4 is gonna own SOULS! GTA 4 is bigger than Jesus!
Hell the MAC is bigger than jesus nowdays...
If I read Obama's transcript correctly, the point being made was that parents should try to encourage their kids to go out more and do something healthier like sports and the fine arts, rather than just allow them to sit all day watching TV or playing video games.
If I read that properly, I don't have any problems with it, as a gamer even.
That's exactly it. Obama wasn't saying kids shouldn't be playing video games or watching T.V. at all, but parents should only allow them to play video games and watch T.V. in moderation rather then them sitting inside all day and getting no exercise. Obama has also said for the most part he's against government regulation of Free Speech. Much better then Hillary "here comes the nanny-state" Clinton.