Game On!: Sensible Answers about Video Games and Media Violence

by Courtney Plante, Craig A. Anderson, Johnie J. Allen

When someone brings up the subject of violent video games, it's usually for one of two a) To insist that media violence is turning our kids into killers, or b) To deny that media have any effects on us and to call anyone who says otherwise a moral crusader.Like most complex issues, the effects of media violence aren't so black-and-white. This book cuts through the rhetoric and grandstanding to directly answer the questions that parents, gamers, and researchers have. Condensing more than 50 years worth of scientific research into a easy-to-read book that provides clear, practical answers, the authors also "show their work" with detailed explanations and scientific references for those who want that level of detail. Written in an FAQ format, this book is the first of its A handy reference guide that bridges the gap between media researchers and those who want scientifically accurate and informed answers stripped of the polarizing rhetoric. "This outstanding book is absolutely the best I have ever read for supporting parents and professionals alike with accurate information about the impact of media violence. The short answer/long answer to all the questions is a brilliant way to give practical information that can immediately be put into decisive, confident action. I love this book and can't thank the authors enough for writing it and compiling mountains of relevant research in extremely useable ways. I am sharing it with everyone I know." - Gloria DeGaetano, Founder/Director, Parent Coaching Institute; Parenting Well in a Media Age, Keep Our Kids Human "The authors know exactly what questions need answering, and they answer them in a clear style that should dispel many of the myths and misconceptions. I hope that this book will lead to a more civilised and rational debate about violent games and their place in society." - Professor Elizabeth Handsley, President, Australian Council on Children and the Media "The issues surrounding mass media violence are complex. This book helps us navigate this complex terrain in an easy and structured manner. It is a must read for educators, parents, researchers, and policy-makers." - Edward Donnerstein, Ph.D., Dean Emeritus, University of Arizona

401 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 17, 2019

Reviews

[Welp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an excellent read. As a video gamer and an academic, I was taken away by the insight and the level understanding the authors had regarding the effects of violent video games. Furthermore, the authors really brings about some appropriate perspectives (or lens) to really understand the complex issue at hand. While media flip flops between the two extremes of either: video games produced violent school shooters or video games has absolutely no effect, the authors of this book digress a reasonable, previously researched standpoint - that the effect is small but meaningful.

The book contains 56 excellent and unique chapters, each chapter centering around answering one commonly asked question. For instance, in Question 12, the authors answer the question: "How does violent media exposure make people more aggressive?" Each question also is answered with a Short Answer, where the author gives a brief solid answer to the question asked; and a Long Answer, where the authors goes in-depth and clears up the nitty gritty details.
This does not mean that the book is a bore though. In fact, not only did I find this format helpful (because I can just pick and choose which questions interest me), but the easy to understand language, humor, and the fact that I was getting nagging questions answered immediately, made the book quite enjoyable and entertaining at times. The book is certainty a good resources for students and for parents alike.


For the last portion of my comment, I want to spell out two perspectives that I had gained after reading this book and doing subsequent academic readings.
1. Violent Video Games are not the only cause for Aggression! There are 100+ factors that contribute to aggression! That's something to consider before one throws all their games away.
2. Aggression does not equal violence! While both terms mean an intent to harm another individual, there is a big distinction between the two. While violence is basically extreme aggressive behaviour, aggression is more of a spectrum, ranging from aggressive thoughts to a verbal insults to punching and shooting. This means that researchers who are investigating aggression is talking
This means that when researchers say that the effect of violent video games on aggression is "small but significant", they mean that violent video games is indeed a risk factor that causes aggression! If a child is not monitored and is left to entirely to themselves and be exposed constantly to violence in gaming, it's likely that the kid would display some sort of aggressive behaviour. And the accumulation of exposure is what causes permanent aggressive thinking and behaving.