Chapter 1.
Introduction
Do Video Games Teach People to Be Violent?
Author: Ronald J. Comer
Princeton University
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1.1 Do Video Games Teach People to Be Violent?
This video looks at the controversial question of whether video games help produce violent and aggressive behavior in teens. It focuses on the highly publicized case of 18-year-old Devin Moore, who killed three police officers in an Alabama police station, reportedly having been influenced by the violent video game Grand Theft Auto. The video features discussion of the lawsuit against the makers of the video game, which alleged that the game conditioned Moore to react violently in real life. As you watch, consider the psychological theory that because the teenage brain is not fully developed, and impulse control is not yet developed in teens, a game like this can influence violent behavior if other risk factors are also present.
1.2 Check Your Understanding
1.
1. The lawsuit against the makers of the "Grand Theft Auto" video game alleges that the game ____________.
2. In the video, child psychologist David Walsh says that the link between violent video games and violent teenagers occurs because _______________.
3. Some feel that people who commit violence based on video games, films, and television are learning to be violent from pop culture, while others believe those who commit such violence are already ___________.
4. People who commit violence in imitation of video games may be examples of _____________.
1.3 Activity Completed!
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