Streams

Do Violent Video Games Cause Violent Behavior?

Monday, January 28, 2013 - 11:00 PM

Cheryl Olson is a researcher and co-author of the book Grand Theft Childhood: The Surprising Truth About Violent Video Games And What Parents Can Do.

Olson has conducted research on violent video games and examined other studies in detail. She says no one has done the type of study needed to determine the true links between violent games and violent behavior.

"The games are changing all the time. One of the things you would like to do in research is follow people over time, what you call a longitudinal study. Because that's the only way you can really tease out cause and effect," she said. "And it's very hard to do that because of the constantly changing games."

Olson also discusses some misconceptions about violent video games and explains how eighth graders in one of her studies described "killing" people on screen. 

Guests:

Cheryl Olson

Hosted by:

Manoush Zomorodi

Produced by:

Daniel P. Tucker

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Comments [6]

Peter

Soooo Aaron... i guess you forgot to listen. Olson sites multiple studies that she conducted and each one she mentioned showed no correlation. and of course she says there needs to be more studies. that’s how she gets paid. besides you missed my point. I was commenting on journalistic integrity and I think the host fell short this time.

Feb. 07 2013 04:40 PM
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bob

you suck

Feb. 05 2013 03:14 PM
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Aaron

Sooooo Peter... you are an idiot... It doesn't matter that Manoush Zomorodi is biased or not... this article does not say that video games are the cause of violence. it says that there has been no studies taht have proven whether or not it is. "She says no one has done the type of study needed to determine the true links between violent games and violent behavior." read a little before you go off on a rant

Feb. 04 2013 11:52 PM
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James

I am doing a research paper for school and you have to be the stupidest person I have ever heard talk about video games. First of all are you a doctor no I didn't think so anyway let the DOCTOR talk she knows what she is talking about so shut up and listen and just to let you know I don't think anyone has tried to shoot someone with their toothbrush you idiot. Secondly have you ever been hunting and shot a deer with a bow and had to rip the arrow and hear the flesh tear then have to field dress the deer right there, stab your knife right in the stomach and watch everything just fall to the ground, and you think me playing a little bit of call of duty black ops 2 and shooting people on the enemy team with weapons that don't even exist yet is going to make me a violent person.

Feb. 04 2013 11:25 AM
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Alistair from Inwood

Is there any research on how children in 1st, 2nd & 3rd graders react to video game violence? I recently bought a wii and have been surprised by violence, albeit rather cartoonish, in a lot of "E for Everybody" games.

Jan. 30 2013 08:45 AM
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Peter

Manoush Zomorodi should not have been involved with this article. she is obviously extremely biased. time after time the guest used scientific research to show that there is no evidence that video games cause violence. over the past 20 years almost all my friends and acquaintances have played violent video games. exactly zero of them have committed violent crimes. the few that have been violent were abused as children. Manoush’s implication that video games cause violence implicated literally millions of young men and women of being ticking time bombs about to be involved in the next aurora Colorado shooting. Frankly I am offended. after a very leading biased question the host gave a very logical and meaningful response and Manoush's mocking response was "but I don’t try to shoot someone with my toothbrushes." one could only conclude either she was not listening to the first 8 minutes of her own interview or that she was too stupid to understand. but I know neither of those are true because I have enjoyed many though provoking articles from her in the past. Manoush, I recommend playing some violent video games for a few hours and see if you feel like going on a killing spree. I bet you won’t. In the future if you are covering a topic where you have such blind conviction at least pretend that you think there are two sides to the story.

Jan. 29 2013 08:52 AM
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