Video Games....

[dwivian]

I have seen lots of studies showing correlationships between violent behaviour and video games. These studies are not flawed in their methodology, and have lead to other studies indicating the power of simulations to teach (and thus, first person shooter games being good at training the brain to be a killer). And yet.....

Are video games CAUSATIVE to violence? I'm not sure....

Another program I watched tonight was about kids with ADHD/ADD, and how their brains were different, with issues in the parietal lobe and serotonin use that makes the mind more placid inside. As such, these kids could grow up to be GREAT bomb technicians (calm in the face of adversity), special forces operatives, etc. But, they tend to seek out higher levels of stimulation just to feel NORMAL, and thus seem to be hyperactive, prone to risk, and violent.

So..... could ADD/ADHD/parietal issues be the source of the desire by some kids to play violent games, and thus the games are completely innocent except for training needy impressionable children to be more efficient in their violence?

Just a thought.....

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/wisteria_/]

(Not entirely related to your above hypothesis, but...)

Yeah, one of the strange things about ADD is that although my brain is scattered most of the time, certain things like computer games or reading or cleaning (like the tasks you mention above) really calm me down. I often start playing Zuma or Solitaire when I should be doing something for school or writing fic, simply because the boring, repetitive activity calms my brain and lets it focus on the other thing I should be doing. Doing something totally different actually *helps* me concentrate on an unrelated task. I've heard the same is true for most people with ADD, and according to my psych, I am *textbook* severe ADD. ;)

Oh, and I meant to tell you the other day that I'm really sorry to hear about your cat. Am sending many hugs up to East Cobb.

[dwivian]

Thank you for your comments, and your thoughts.

[lorenalis.livejournal.com]

It's usually a desire for violence that draws kids to these games anyway. If anything, it's my belief that the games only accentuate and give an outlet for something that is already there. Someone not interested in those types of games/activities are not likely to pick them up.

[dwivian]

I thought that might be the case, myself, but I need to get someone to do the research....

[southernselkie.livejournal.com]

As a real ADD adult... I can tell you that at least >part< of that is true. For the most part... it's kinda fun... once certain things are handled. *quirky smile*

[dwivian]

::pokes you with a TENS unit::

[southernselkie.livejournal.com]

Heh heh... bad bad man. ;)

[dwivian]

I'm completely innocent. I have no idea what you're on about.

[david-itman.livejournal.com]

That's an interesting way to look at it. I have mixed opinions on video games, I don't personally play them (sports, violence, whatever...unless Bejeweled counts :-) But I have friends that do, and my brother does occasionally. I think the majority of the time, guys are the ones playing video games rather than girls (not that I haven't seen exceptions). Since men were the original protectors/hunters/gatherers, and not much of today's school or home life allows that type of expression any more, could it be that boys gravitate to violent games to fulfill this roll?

I'm not sure, just my two cents :-)

[dwivian]

Very interesting thoughts!