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Repeated Exposure to Violent Images Desensitizes Teens, Study Finds
Every few months, researchers publish a new study about the impact of violent videos and games on teens. Although the conclusions typically differ, the studies themselves apparently have a profound effect on adults, because the researchers seemingly -- and frequently -- just become contradictory, contentious and confused.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) conducted a recent violence study, and the group focused on the possible neurological effects of watching an assortment of brief, violent videos. The researchers stationed 14-to-17-year-old boys in functional magnetic resonance imaging scanners (fMRI), and then monitored the teens' brain activity as 60 4-second clips were played. Apparently, after watching the videos for an extended period of time, the boys demonstrated a diminished emotional response to violence. That desensitization was reportedly more dramatic among participants who were regularly exposed to violent games, movies and other forms of entertainment.
Even though the U.S. Army complains that the gaming generation consists of soft, doughy weaklings (and the military should definitely know), the NINDS believes "continued exposure to violent videos will make an adolescent less sensitive to violence, more accepting of violence and more likely to commit aggressive acts." Perhaps the scientists should instead focus on treating stroke victims with games and videos (since, you know, that is in the group's name), but if the NINDS truly wants to witness teen boys grow violent and aggressive because of games and videos, just force the kids to play in the new, painfully lame Xbox Game Boat.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) conducted a recent violence study, and the group focused on the possible neurological effects of watching an assortment of brief, violent videos. The researchers stationed 14-to-17-year-old boys in functional magnetic resonance imaging scanners (fMRI), and then monitored the teens' brain activity as 60 4-second clips were played. Apparently, after watching the videos for an extended period of time, the boys demonstrated a diminished emotional response to violence. That desensitization was reportedly more dramatic among participants who were regularly exposed to violent games, movies and other forms of entertainment.
Even though the U.S. Army complains that the gaming generation consists of soft, doughy weaklings (and the military should definitely know), the NINDS believes "continued exposure to violent videos will make an adolescent less sensitive to violence, more accepting of violence and more likely to commit aggressive acts." Perhaps the scientists should instead focus on treating stroke victims with games and videos (since, you know, that is in the group's name), but if the NINDS truly wants to witness teen boys grow violent and aggressive because of games and videos, just force the kids to play in the new, painfully lame Xbox Game Boat.
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Comments
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Subscribe to commentsUberSilOct 20th 2010 5:40PM
Why is it that scientists (should read moralists) continually think that a desensitization to violence should match an increase in violent behavior? While morality might be matched to what one sees as a child of five or six. By the time you reach twelve to sixteen a person's morality has drifted from experienced examples As such seeing a violent act might desensitize you but will not dictate that what you saw was right or wrong.