Psychology 475
Liberty University
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to provide a critical review of the article The Effect of Video Game Violence on Physiological Desensitization to Real-life Violence by Nicholas L. Carnagey, Craig A. Anderson, and Brad J. Bushman (2007). In this article Carnagey, Ander and Bushman experimentally examine the effects that violent video games have on those playing them, specifically in the area of physiological desensitization. It is the goal of this review to provide readers with an overall summary and critique of the article. This review will describe, discuss, and evaluate the key points of Carnagey, Anderson, and Bushman’s article and assess the methodology, results, and conclusions of the article.
Keywords: physiological desensitization, research, violent, video games
Summary
In the introduction Carnagey, Ander and Bushman (2007) address the hot debate that’s developed over the years concerning the impact of video games, particularly violent video games within our society. The article assesses some different reasons that this debate has become so hearted, for instance over 85 percent of video games contain some level of violence currently. Sadly many of these games, even the violent ones, are actually marketed toward children. The article also attributes much of the debate’s escalation to the vast amount of research available that demonstrates a rise in aggression and other negative affects in children exposed to violent media. After addressing the abudance of research concerning negative affects the article points out the shortcomings of that research concerning the impact violent video games have on desensitization. This insight leads into the body of the article and further information on the topic of desensitization.
In the next section, Carnagey, Ander and Bushman (2007) discuss the overtly broad definition of desensitization
References: Carnagey, N. L., Anderson, C. A., & Bushman, B. J. (2007). The effect of video game violence on physiological. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 43, 489-496. Retrieved from www.sciencediet.com