Date attended: 03/12/2009
Time: 12:00pm
Personal Tutor: Tom Scott
During the session, I was asked how I have found this semester, if I had any problems with any of the lectures and if I understood the relevance of each module. I found that I was finding University an enjoyable experience. This was a nice finish to a semester, as it made me realise that despite all of the stressful pressures of deadlines, I am still enjoying my studies.
I discovered what I will be studying in the next semester and how it is relevant so I am looking forward to an interesting finish to the academic year.
Overall, visiting my personal tutor was worthwhile experience.
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Reflection on being Mentored
My mentor is my mother; as she has the most knowledge of how I work best.
I was rather sceptical as to how much of an influence she would have on my attitude towards my studies.
In hindsight, being mentored has not been an intrusive experience at all. Beginning University, I was unsure about a lot of things. I sat with my mentor, told her my concerns and my fears of not passing the modules. She listened and gave guidance.
In reflection, my mentor was a neutral bystander that showed an objective viewpoint, whether it’s proof-reading some work or shredding light on a personal dilemma.
I was rather sceptical as to how much of an influence she would have on my attitude towards my studies.
In hindsight, being mentored has not been an intrusive experience at all. Beginning University, I was unsure about a lot of things. I sat with my mentor, told her my concerns and my fears of not passing the modules. She listened and gave guidance.
In reflection, my mentor was a neutral bystander that showed an objective viewpoint, whether it’s proof-reading some work or shredding light on a personal dilemma.
Friday, 13 November 2009
Report: Video Games and Violence Bibliography
Anders, K. 1999 "Marketing and Policy Consideration for Violent Video Games" Journal of Public Policy & Marketing 18 (2) pp270-273
Bartholow, B & Anderson, C 2002. "Effects of Violent Video Games on Aggressive Behaviour: Potential Sex Differences" Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 38 (3) pp8
Dill, K. "Violent Video Games Can Increase Aggression" APA Online [Internet] http://www.apa.org/releases/videogames.html [accessed 10-10-2009]
Funk, J et al. 2003. "Playing Violent Video Games, desensitization, and moral evaluation in children" Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology 24 (4) pp24
Horn, R V. 1999. "Violence and Video Games" The Phi Kappan 81 (2) pp173-174
Kalning, K. 2006. "Does Game Violence Make Teens Aggressive?" MSNBC [Internet] http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16099971/ [Accessed 10-10-2009]
Uhlmann, E & Swanson, J. 2004. "Exposure to Violent Video Games Increases Automatic Aggressiveness" Journal of Adolescence 27 (1)pp12
Watton, V. Hobson, R. Walton, D. 2004. "General Studies An AS and A Level Course Text" 10th. UK. Gray Publishing.
Bartholow, B & Anderson, C 2002. "Effects of Violent Video Games on Aggressive Behaviour: Potential Sex Differences" Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 38 (3) pp8
Dill, K. "Violent Video Games Can Increase Aggression" APA Online [Internet] http://www.apa.org/releases/videogames.html [accessed 10-10-2009]
Funk, J et al. 2003. "Playing Violent Video Games, desensitization, and moral evaluation in children" Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology 24 (4) pp24
Horn, R V. 1999. "Violence and Video Games" The Phi Kappan 81 (2) pp173-174
Kalning, K. 2006. "Does Game Violence Make Teens Aggressive?" MSNBC [Internet] http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16099971/ [Accessed 10-10-2009]
Uhlmann, E & Swanson, J. 2004. "Exposure to Violent Video Games Increases Automatic Aggressiveness" Journal of Adolescence 27 (1)pp12
Watton, V. Hobson, R. Walton, D. 2004. "General Studies An AS and A Level Course Text" 10th. UK. Gray Publishing.
References
Anderson, C. 2003. "Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts and Unanswered Questions" APA Online 16 (5) [Internet] hhtp://www.apa.org/science/psa/sb-anderson.html
Anderson, C. & Bushman 2001. "Effects of Violent Video Games On Aggressive Behaviour, Aggressive Cognition, Aggressive Affect, Physiological Arousal and Prosocial Behaviour: A Meta-Analytic Review of the Scientific Literature" Psychological Science 12 (5) pp353-359
Bandura, A. 1961. Video of Bobo Study (Appendix 3) [Internet] http://www.youtube.com/ (Appendix 3)
Lynn, A. & Williams, D. 2005. "No Strong Link between Violent Video Games and Aggression" News Illinois [Internet] hhtp://news.illinois.edu/NEWS/05/0809videogames.html [Accessed 12-10-2009]
Anderson, C. & Bushman 2001. "Effects of Violent Video Games On Aggressive Behaviour, Aggressive Cognition, Aggressive Affect, Physiological Arousal and Prosocial Behaviour: A Meta-Analytic Review of the Scientific Literature" Psychological Science 12 (5) pp353-359
Bandura, A. 1961. Video of Bobo Study (Appendix 3) [Internet] http://www.youtube.com/ (Appendix 3)
Lynn, A. & Williams, D. 2005. "No Strong Link between Violent Video Games and Aggression" News Illinois [Internet] hhtp://news.illinois.edu/NEWS/05/0809videogames.html [Accessed 12-10-2009]
Report: Video Games and Violence Conclusion
To conclude, the results from the primary research did support the hypothesis that violent video games increase aggressive behaviour to a degree. However, not every participant stated that they had aggressive cognitions or behaviours after playing a violent video game. Instead, perhaps innate tendencies of the individual are also responsible for their actions. Each theory mentioned still have ecological validity today, simply due to each user is different and how they react to video games is going to be different because of their own tendencies, it may be a mixture of exposure, learning and their innate tendencies all put together.
Report: Video Games and Violence Findings and Recommendations
If another study were to be carried out, a larger sample would be required, but also it would be interesting to modify the study enabling the experimenter to witness the participants' behaviour immediately after playing a violent video game. If there are any irrational inhibitions which were not mentioned in responses in the questionnaire, they would be noted in observations instead.
Based upon the research results, it appears to support the theory (Williams, 2005) that there is no causal relationship between violent video games and aggression.
Although, it has already been noted that innate tendencies from the user may affect their behaviour after game play, however, the media and game developing community must also take responsibility that unnecessary violence will impact some users. The games that are being produced for some members of the public, these games are acting as virtual role models. Therefore, when the user executes a violent action i.e. slitting another characters' throat, when the user is then rewarded for this action by being able to continue further through the game, this is reinforcing the behaviour (Bandura, 1961) and could potentially be carried out in real life. Hence, a perfect example is the boy from Leicester murdering his brother after imitating the moves shown in the game "Manhunt", thus supporting the hypothesis that violent video games do in fact increase aggressive behaviour.
Based upon the research results, it appears to support the theory (Williams, 2005) that there is no causal relationship between violent video games and aggression.
Although, it has already been noted that innate tendencies from the user may affect their behaviour after game play, however, the media and game developing community must also take responsibility that unnecessary violence will impact some users. The games that are being produced for some members of the public, these games are acting as virtual role models. Therefore, when the user executes a violent action i.e. slitting another characters' throat, when the user is then rewarded for this action by being able to continue further through the game, this is reinforcing the behaviour (Bandura, 1961) and could potentially be carried out in real life. Hence, a perfect example is the boy from Leicester murdering his brother after imitating the moves shown in the game "Manhunt", thus supporting the hypothesis that violent video games do in fact increase aggressive behaviour.
Report: Video Games and Violence Evaluation of Results
The sample that was used for the questionniare was far too small to show a correlation relationship from the results. If this research was to be executed on a larger scale perhaps finding a more empirical causal relationship between video game and behaviour could be identified. It is worth noting that due to such a small sample of participants any of the following results are only conclusive based on the eleven participants studied, rather than applicable on a national or even international scale.
One participant's answer to question four stated that when they were younger they enjoyed copying moves from violent video games and television. This can be linked to the news story in Leicesterm as well as Bandura's Theory of Behaviour through Learning (Bandura, 1961), thus emphasising that the theory still has ecological validity forty years on, therefore meaning it can be applied to everyday life.
Another participant stated that they took their frustration out on their siblings; surely this supports Anderson's theory that violent video games increase aggressive behaviour. Furthermore, this supports Anderson and Bushman's theory that measuring aggression from video games does not need to be executed within a laboratory environment to show aggressive behaviour.
It would be foolhardy, based upon the results, to suggest those violent video games are solely responsible for increasing aggressive behaviours and cognitions. Simply because there would be an international outcry and all violent video games would be banned due to each person who is exposed becomes violent. Surely, there must be some input from the user; innate tendencies must play some part. This is shown by the varying results given in the questions four and five. If aggressive behaviour and cognitions were solely due to violent video games, the results from the study would have a unanimous result showing that all participants felt aggressive tendencies after game play. Furthermore, in everyday life, the world would be very different. The case study of the boy in Leicester, whom murdered his brother wouldn't be of a special case anymore, as it would be a growing concern of great proportions. Violent video games would cease to exist due to the psychological impact on its users.
Indeed it is important to acknowledge that question four and five ask for personal responses from the participant. Furthermorem in the brief the participant is already fully aware of why the questionnaire has been created. Thus meaning that there was experimental bias, when it came to giving their response the participants may have felt encouraged to give their responses in a particular way and make their answers conform to what they thought the answers should be. Sadly, if this is the case, this affects the validity and reliability of the results.
Although, due to ethical debate, to get informed consent before the participant answers the questionnaire, the participant must be fully aware of what they are partaking in and why the questionnaire is being executed. Due to the participant already having the knowledge of why they are partaking, it could be argued that the participant will adapt their response so that it conforms to what the participant thinks the response should be. Howeverm if the participant is misled as to why they are partaking in the questionnaire, this would be deception. If the participant were to realise that this had occured, their responses would perhaps be more valid, however, it is likely the participant will not be impressed that they had been deceived.
One of the responses to question five was "watch porn". Perhaps watching adult entertainment can be linked to the Catharsis Hypthosis (Bennett, 1997). Frustration and aggressive cognitions and behaviours that have been pent up from playing violent video game, are then released by watching the adult entertainment and thus relieving the frustration and aggression by enjoying the content.
Due to such a small sample, it is difficult to show a relationship between aggressive behaviour and violent video games. However, when the participants gave their responses to question five, there was no response suggesting aggressive tendencies or cognitions after playing a violent video game. This emphasises the earlier point that there must be some innate tendencies of the individual to suggest an extreme response to playing a violent video game.
One participant's answer to question four stated that when they were younger they enjoyed copying moves from violent video games and television. This can be linked to the news story in Leicesterm as well as Bandura's Theory of Behaviour through Learning (Bandura, 1961), thus emphasising that the theory still has ecological validity forty years on, therefore meaning it can be applied to everyday life.
Another participant stated that they took their frustration out on their siblings; surely this supports Anderson's theory that violent video games increase aggressive behaviour. Furthermore, this supports Anderson and Bushman's theory that measuring aggression from video games does not need to be executed within a laboratory environment to show aggressive behaviour.
It would be foolhardy, based upon the results, to suggest those violent video games are solely responsible for increasing aggressive behaviours and cognitions. Simply because there would be an international outcry and all violent video games would be banned due to each person who is exposed becomes violent. Surely, there must be some input from the user; innate tendencies must play some part. This is shown by the varying results given in the questions four and five. If aggressive behaviour and cognitions were solely due to violent video games, the results from the study would have a unanimous result showing that all participants felt aggressive tendencies after game play. Furthermore, in everyday life, the world would be very different. The case study of the boy in Leicester, whom murdered his brother wouldn't be of a special case anymore, as it would be a growing concern of great proportions. Violent video games would cease to exist due to the psychological impact on its users.
Indeed it is important to acknowledge that question four and five ask for personal responses from the participant. Furthermorem in the brief the participant is already fully aware of why the questionnaire has been created. Thus meaning that there was experimental bias, when it came to giving their response the participants may have felt encouraged to give their responses in a particular way and make their answers conform to what they thought the answers should be. Sadly, if this is the case, this affects the validity and reliability of the results.
Although, due to ethical debate, to get informed consent before the participant answers the questionnaire, the participant must be fully aware of what they are partaking in and why the questionnaire is being executed. Due to the participant already having the knowledge of why they are partaking, it could be argued that the participant will adapt their response so that it conforms to what the participant thinks the response should be. Howeverm if the participant is misled as to why they are partaking in the questionnaire, this would be deception. If the participant were to realise that this had occured, their responses would perhaps be more valid, however, it is likely the participant will not be impressed that they had been deceived.
One of the responses to question five was "watch porn". Perhaps watching adult entertainment can be linked to the Catharsis Hypthosis (Bennett, 1997). Frustration and aggressive cognitions and behaviours that have been pent up from playing violent video game, are then released by watching the adult entertainment and thus relieving the frustration and aggression by enjoying the content.
Due to such a small sample, it is difficult to show a relationship between aggressive behaviour and violent video games. However, when the participants gave their responses to question five, there was no response suggesting aggressive tendencies or cognitions after playing a violent video game. This emphasises the earlier point that there must be some innate tendencies of the individual to suggest an extreme response to playing a violent video game.
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