Videogames glorifying antisocial characters are violent and could increase the young gamers' risk of criminal and other risky behaviours like smoking and alcohol abuse, a US study said Monday.
These adult-rated games also affect teenage users' self-image, according to the study by Dartmouth College researchers published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
Alcoholic Liver Disease
Encyclopedia section of medindia gives general information about Alcoholic Liver Disease.
Advertisement
A previous Dartmouth study published in 2012 had already found that such videogames could incite teens to drive carelessly.
Other studies have linked violent videogames to adolescent aggressiveness and violence.
But this latest study "is important because it is the first to suggest that possible effects of violent videogames go well beyond violence to apply to substance use, risky driving and risk-taking sexual behavior," Dartmouth professor of pediatrics and co-author James Sargent said in a statement.
![Video Gaming as Addictive as Alcohol, Gambling: Study]( "Video Gaming as Addictive as Alcohol, Gambling: Study")
Research has shown that video gaming can be as addictive as alcohol, heroin or gambling.
In fact, youths who play these types of videogames may identify themselves to the antisocial protagonists they feature.
"With respect to playing deviant videogame characters, we feel it best to follow the admonition of Kurt Vonnegut in 'Mother Night:' 'We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be,'" said lead author Jay Hull, who chairs Dartmouth's Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences.
For the study, researchers questioned 5,000 randomly chosen US teenagers over a four-year period by telephone.
Among the factors they examined were playing three violent videogames glorifying violence -- "Grand Theft Auto," "Manhunt" and "Spiderman" -- and other mature-rated games.
The study then found links between games of this nature and changes in a broad range of high-risk behaviors.
"This is due, in part, to changes in the users' personality, attitudes and values, specifically making them more rebellious and thrill-seeking," the study said.
Researchers found the effects to be similar for both men and women, and strongest among those who played the most or played games with antisocial protagonists.
Source: AFP
But this latest study "is important because it is the first to suggest that possible effects of violent videogames go well beyond violence to apply to substance use, risky driving and risk-taking sexual behavior," Dartmouth professor of pediatrics and co-author James Sargent said in a statement.
Video Gaming as Addictive as Alcohol, Gambling: Study
Research has shown that video gaming can be as addictive as alcohol, heroin or gambling.
Advertisement
In fact, youths who play these types of videogames may identify themselves to the antisocial protagonists they feature.
"With respect to playing deviant videogame characters, we feel it best to follow the admonition of Kurt Vonnegut in 'Mother Night:' 'We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be,'" said lead author Jay Hull, who chairs Dartmouth's Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences.
For the study, researchers questioned 5,000 randomly chosen US teenagers over a four-year period by telephone.
Among the factors they examined were playing three violent videogames glorifying violence -- "Grand Theft Auto," "Manhunt" and "Spiderman" -- and other mature-rated games.
The study then found links between games of this nature and changes in a broad range of high-risk behaviors.
"This is due, in part, to changes in the users' personality, attitudes and values, specifically making them more rebellious and thrill-seeking," the study said.
Researchers found the effects to be similar for both men and women, and strongest among those who played the most or played games with antisocial protagonists.
Source: AFP
Becoming Bad by Playing Video Games
Earlier studies showed that violent video games increase adolescent aggressivenes.
Advertisement
 Types of AlcoholInformation about the different types of alcoholic beverages, its production and tips on serving alcohol. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Readings
Latest Lifestyle and Wellness News
The 'tight' sensation on your face after washing is explained by skin contraction in the outer layer.
The skin between the toes and behind the ears can harbor many harmful germs that can cause a variety of skin illnesses.
Prolonged sitting among office goers, pose risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, and certain types of cancers.
Yogurt's protein and fat content demonstrated its unidentified deodorizing properties against garlic's pungent odor.
People who smoke tobacco and cannabis have an increased risk of depression and anxiety than those who use either substance alone or not at all.
