I've always wondered about this. Anecdotally, my kids played violent video games and they turned out fine.
JB | Homepage | 03.29.05 - 7:56 am | #

Post hoc ergo propter.
Richard Heddleson | 03.29.05 - 9:44 am | #

What about those who don't play these games? Are they more violent?

It would seem that the research on associations between watching violent TV shows and propensity to violent behavior (which shows consistently shows a possitive correlation) would also apply to computer games.

I'll grant however that the games do seem to facilitate quick mental processing and fast psychomotor responses. Maybe that is the answer: game players are like martial artists and subdue their foes with speed and agility, thus reducing injury.
JimPortlandOR | 03.29.05 - 2:35 pm | #

Interesting post. There are also some other things to consider. How does the downward trend in violence with repect to children track with the decline in general violent crime over this period?

Also there is a difference in TV watching and playing video games. TV watching is passive; playing video games is active. If playing sports do quell violent behavior in boys, is it the physical activity that wears them out or is it the mental satisfaction of beating an opponent that does the trick?
cl | 03.29.05 - 8:58 pm | #

What a superb post -- real food for thought. I'll have to stop by here more often.
Curzon | Homepage | 03.30.05 - 9:24 am | #

It's nice to see some evidence contrary to what seems to be the norm these days, ie the world is aflame and violent-video-game playing teenagers are the ones with the lighters.
Joe | Homepage | 03.30.05 - 10:37 am | #

My sons play more strategy games than violence games, are very non-violent, and the oldest is into knives and sharp things right now, because they are cool, ont for the effects.

Decline in violence is related to better economic conditions, duh.
donna | Homepage | 03.30.05 - 11:40 am | #