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.
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...