GamePolitics brought our attention to this gem. Canadian researcher Richard Tremblay has invested some time in studying a fairly large group of children to identify the roots of physical aggression. How much time you ask? 20 years. How many participants in the study? 35,000.
According to the original article in Scientific American, Tremblay notes that violence is a part of human development. It is through socialization that we minimize the need to revert to violence. However, individuals who have trouble communicating with those around them are more predisposed to utilize violence as a form of expression. The observable behavior is one of chronic aggression. However, Tremblay noted that these individuals have less expressed genes. Therefore, these behavior patterns are not caused by exposure to violent media.
Though this is just one of many studies, it is truly significant due to its longevity and the number of participants. Yet, I wouldn’t use this as an excuse to let my 4-year-old watch Apocolypse Now or play Resistance: Fall of Man.
What are your thoughts? Join the conversation below!
1 response so far ↓
1 Jack // Oct 24, 2007 at 2:06 pm
Video games take the brunt of the blame for violence in society. This study shows that other factors regarding social skills contribute to violent behavior - how do we explain violent individuals who have never viewed or played a video game? I’d be interested in sensationalist Dr. Susan’s view.
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