Computer Games and violence is a topic that is very controversial in America

8/7/2019 Computer Games and violence is a topic that is very controversial in America

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Computer Games and violence is a topic that is very controversial inAmerica. Like all other topics everything has its pros and cons. One

of the most common criticisms of computer games is that they

increase violent tendencies among the youth players. Parents are

very concerned with their children playing violent computer games

because they feel it influences their actions.

Playing violent computer games can increase a person's aggressive

thoughts, feelings, and behavior according to studies. For example,

on April 20, 1999, 18-year-old Eric Harris and 17-year-old Dylan

Klebold killed 12 students and a teacher in the Columbine High


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School Massacre. The two were allegedly obsessed) with the video

game Doom). Violent computer games are said to be more harmful

than violent television and movies because they are interactive and

require the player to identify with the aggressor (Cochran).

There has been several studies by groups such as The Harvard

Medical School Center for Mental Health,

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getbettergradesThe Journal of Adolescent Health, and The British Medical Journal

have shown no link between Computer Game usage and violent

activities. One study did find an increase in reports of bullying.

Research found that certain patterns of Computer Game play were

much more likely to be associated with bullying than with major

violent crimes such as school shootings (Griffiths).

Computer Game environments are often based on plots of violence,

aggression, and gender bias. A very good example of a computer

game that contains all three of these things is the game Grand Theft
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Auto: Vice City. The game came under criticism of implying allegedly

racist hate crimes. The game takes place in "Vice City" a fictional

Miami in 1986, which involves a gang war between the Haitians and

Cubans (Bensely).

Many computer games only offer an arena of weapons, killings,

kicking, stabbing, and shootings that kids become so addicted to.

Games like this can sometimes confuse reality and fantasy and

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Benefits Of Computer Games

Recently, in this modern world that we live in, through the course of the

improvement of technology, computer games became very popular among

the youth. Whether we like it or not, computer games greatly influences

our society today. Computer games become a part of people's lives.


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Almost everyone has been exposed to some kind of computer game be it

role playing games, puzzle games, action games played on a console, a

personal computer, or a handheld device. Because of this sudden interest

in computer games, concerns about its effects, may it be positive or

negative, arise. Being in a modern world, we naturally question these

things. Is it a safe practice to play these games? Will it bring any good?

Although many people think that it is unhealthy to play computer games, I

believe that, in moderation, computer games can be beneficial in many

ways such as in leisure and experience, learning, as well as improving our

cognitive, logical, and managerial skills.

First of all, video games

can be considered as naturally alluring because of its aesthetic images

and the realistic experiences that comes with it. As Poole said, video

games, especially in these modern times, have very detailed audio-visual

effects, usually presenting a simulated fantasy world that appears to be

close to reality (qtd. in Mitchel and Savill-Smith 17). Truly, computer

games improved visually and became more realistic these past few years.


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These "fantasy worlds" are commonly found in simulation games, which is

very useful for learning because it allows players to experience things

that might be impossible or too expensive (Mitchel and Savill-Smith 20).

Because of this, video games can be liberating by allowing people to do

things they cannot normally do.

These games are also usually integrated with stories, which, according to

McLellan, "are one of the most fundamental and powerful synthetic

experiences available to us (qtd in Mitchel and Savill-Smith 20).

Games also always have goals and.

Computergaming is much maligned at times for the level of violence in some games

and for the amount of time that it claims that could be put to more productive uses. Some

advantages of gaming are that it has educational applications, increases visual

processing of information and teaches problem solving skills.
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Violence Created

Violence in games has an unquestionable negative effect on players, making them

more likely to be violent themselves, according to Craig Anderson of the American

Psychological Association. He points out that experiments in the lab and in the field, and

longitudinal and cross-sectional studies have all shown this to be true. The interactive

nature of the games makes them more influential in teaching violence than more passive

media like television or books.

Time Wasted

Time spent in front of the computer has increased for kids ages 8 to 18, and media

use now stands at an average of 7.5 hours per day, taking into account computers,

television and other media, as reported in a study by the Kaiser Foundation. Much of the

time is spent multitasking or combining TV and video games, for example. Half surveyed

said they had a computer game console of their own in their room. In addition time spent

reading has decreased.
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Educational Benefits

Games have educational uses, for example, teaching economic skills like negotiating

and purchasing strategies, and are used in college level economics courses to do so. For

example, many games allow players to accumulate points or money and then purchase

things that will advance their interests in the game. These features simulate markets, and

in fact can become commodities outside the game.

Information Handling

Gaming teaches people to process visual information more quickly than non-gamers.

In a society where visual media is pushing more and more information at the audience all

the time, this can give gamers an edge in processing it.

Problem Solving

Gaming teaches problem solving skills. Players are given a set of rules to follow and

must figure out the best strategy for achieving the goals set in the gaming context. If the

game has multiple players or teams, the problem solving is done in a social context,


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which teaches people to communicate and cooperate.

Commercial computer games are fun, engaging and

seductive. They are highly interactive and provide

both a challenge and instant, visual feedback within a

safe virtual environment.

In short, computer games engage young people in away that traditional classroom activities simply

cannot. But aside from providing entertainment,

computer games have also been found to serve a

range of educational functions. According to Gee

(2003) they encourage different ways of learning

and thinking and provide the opportunity to teach

and practice new skills and encourage imagination,

creativity and exploration.


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Advantages of Computer Games (positive

implications for learning)

Games help

pupils to develop

key learning skills

such as: cognitive

processing,

logical thinkingand independent

decision making.

Computer games

encourage

interpersonal

relationships, thus

encouraging

cooperative andcompetitive

behaviour within a

strategic context

(Filipczak 1997; Gee

2003)

Many games

enable players

to embody

different

characters

thus helpingto breed

attitudes of

tolerance and

understanding

.


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The games enable

engagement in

activities

otherwise too

costly to resource

or too difficult to

implement in the

classroom

(Berson 1996)

Simulation

games could

be used as a

means of

preparing

learners for

the world of

work (Filipczak

1997;

Saunders andSmalley 2000;

Griffiths and

Davies 2002).

Aggressive game

play can help

players relax and

balance their

Advantage

Games help

pupils to

develop

important


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aggression.

(Bensley and van

Eenwyk 2001)

sphysical

attributes

such as

manual

dexterity

According to Van

Deventer and

White (2002) use

of computergames is linked to

'expert'

behaviours such

as, problem

solving,

principled

decision-making,

and superior

Incorporating

computer games

within education

provides a valuablelink between

activities within the

classroom and life

outside school.

Such a connection

will help to

reinforce learning

and may encourage

Computer

games provide

a safe artificial

environmentwithin which

learners with

low self

esteem may

feel more

inclined to

explore

investigate


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short-term and

long-term

memory.

pupils to continue

to develop their ICT

skills outside the

classroom

environment.

and express

themselves.

Thanks in advance for correcting my essay.

=============================================

=====-

It is true that the most striking feature of the present century is the process

of science. Many great inventions have been born and one of the greatest

advances in modern technology has been the invention of computer and

computer games. Computer games are being used to provide numerous

helpful benefits. They help us to treat a variety of disorders and disabilities,


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to make us have fun and entertainment, and serve a range of educational

functions.

The most important aspect of playing computer games is treating some

diseases. Researchers are finding that computer games can be actually

tweaked to treat people with phobias. The belief behind this treatment

method is that exposing people to the source of their fear with in a

controlled environment may actually lead to a cure. Two of the most

common phobias that have been treated with computer games are a fear of

confined spaces and heights. Teachers have found that computer games

specifically prepared for language disabilities provide a unique way for

children to overcome their disabilities.

Another important aspect is that computer games providing us to have fun.

When we are very bored tired or stressed, Computer games are good

source of enjoyment. Moreover, we have fun playing computer games

because they give us time to be with our friends. It is a great opportunity to

socialize. We can talk with our friends about other things at the same time.


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In addition, when we spend time with our friends and relax with friends, we

have more energy for other work.

Last but not least, Computer games serve a range of educational functions.

Computer games encourage different ways of learning, imagination,

creativity and exploration. For example, Simulation games could be used as

a means of preparing learners for the world of work. Computer games also

help pupils to develop key learning skills such as cognitive process, logical

thinking and independent decision making.

To sum up, Computer games have a main role in our lives. We can use of

them for therapy disease, having fun and educating better. Who could deny

the necessity of computer games?


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silverystarsThreads:14

Posts:118

May 6, 09, 06:37am #2

Hello!

I would suggest that you rearrange the order of the middle three

paragraphs so that the importance of computer games builds up, from "fun"

(paragraph #3) to "educational" (paragraph #4) to "healing" (paragraph

#2.)

Also, review your main points with more detail for your conclusion to be

most effective.

Some other suggestions:

It is true thatThe most striking feature of the present century is the process

of science.
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The belief behind this treatment method is that exposing people to the

source of their fear within a controlled environment may actually lead to a

cure. Two of the most common phobias that have been treated with

computer games are claustrophobia, or a fear of confined spaces, and

acrophobia, a fear ofheights.

Another important aspect is that computer games allow us to have fun.

When we are very bored, tired or stressed, computer games are a good

source of enjoyment.

Keep going!

Ned Plimpton


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EF_KevinThreads:29

Posts: 11,964[Moderator]

May 6, 09, 04:11pm #3

Many great inventions have been born and one of the greatest advances in

modern technology has been the invention ofcomputers and computer

games.

The most important aspect of playing computer games is in treating some

diseases.

Researchers are finding that computer games can actually be tweaked to

treat people with phobias.

The belief behind this treatment method is that exposing people to the

source of their fear within a controlled environment may actually lead to a

cure.

Two of the most common phobias that have been treated with computer
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games are a fear of confined spaces and fear ofheights.

Another important aspect is that computer games provide us with fun.

When we are very bored, tired or stressed, computer games are a good

source of enjoyment.

Last but not least, computer games serve a range of educational functions.

For example, simulation games could be used as a means of preparing

learners for the world of work.

To sum up, computer games have a main role in our lives. We can make use

of them for therapy, disease, having fun and better education.

You certainly made some good points! I never realized that part about

helping people deal with phobias.

Watch out for how you use capital letters, as you sometimes use them


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where they are not needed.

:)

You can help a lot of people by visiting the "Unanswered" threads!

EF_SeanThreads:6

Posts:3,804[Moderator]

May 6, 09, 08:35pm #4

Wow, an entire essay on the advantages of computer games that doesn't

mention a single computer game by name. That's a problem. You need to

provide specific examples of the sorts of games you have in mind for each

paragraph. Mention the games you have in mind, and explain how they


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work to accomplish the things you say games in general do, and your essay

will be much stronger.

Sean, EssayForum.com

silverystarsThreads:14

Posts:118

May 7, 09, 08:18am #5

Right on, Sean. In my opinion, though, you don't have to cite specific

games, but rather specific examples of video game use. For instance, there

are nursing homes employing the use of the Nintendo Wii, as it is gaming

based on physical movement, allowing the elderly to participate in both

sport activities and technology. Go to Google Images and type in "Nintendo


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Wii In Nursing Homes" to see what I mean.

Ned Plimpton

EF_SeanThreads:6


May 9, 09, 06:53am #6

And would it really hurt to then name a Wii game or two that would be

particularly useful in this regard? The more specific you get, the better.

Great example, btw, Ned.



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kirinThreads:4

Posts:12

May 10, 09, 10:47am #7

Definitely, the "Nintendo Wii".

I do agree with Ned that you should rearrange the mid-three paragraphs, as

cumulative progression.

Kirin Lao


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PhiliboyThreads:1

Posts:5

May 11, 09, 02:25pm #8

When you write that Computer games are a great way to socialise and

spend time with friends I suggest you include a contesting view. You can

then counter argue this view, backed up by some evidence. This would give

your essay much more substance. If you do not wish to do that, you should

at least be more specific which kind of computer games you mean, because

many games can only be played on single player mode.

Philip

Philip Schmitz


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GautamaThreads:6

Posts:160

May 11, 09, 03:05pm #9

I would definitely bring up the differences between watching TV and playing

computer games.

I have heard many people speak out against computer games saying that

they are a waste of time or turn people into "zombies." I think that watching

TV is alot worse than playing computer games in these regards. This is

because TV is just straight input for your brain. Images flash before your

eyes while you sit there and do absolutely nothing. Computer games, on

the other hand, are a mixture of input and output for your brain as the

player is required to recieve input from the game and output his/her

response to the input. In that sense, video games are much or engaging

and challenging than watching television.

I hate it when people who watch TV everyday complain about how video


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games are a waste of time.

Tyler

EF_SeanThreads:6


May 11, 09, 09:09pm #10

But then, of course, you need to look at what sort of television

programming is being watched. Watching the sort of programs that come

up on the Discovery Channel is arguably more educational than chasing

renderings of aliens around a map trying to shoot them. Of course, trying to

solve puzzles in a well designed RPG is arguably more educational than

watching an episode of the Young and the Restless, or any other day time


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soap, for that matter. So, perhaps like most technology, video games can be

good or bad depending upon how they are designed, and whether they are

used in moderation or excess?


GautamaThreads:6

Posts:160

May 12, 09, 11:59am #11

Yes, of course I understand that. I just happen to know a couple of elderly

folks who always scold me when I play Starcraft when they are sitting on

the couch watching Days of Our Lives.


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Tyler

EF_SeanThreads:6


May 12, 09, 03:31pm #12

In that case, your point is well taken. Starcraft involves a fair amount of

strategy, and is surely more worthwhile than Days of Our Lives. Of course, I

think most things are more worthwhile than watching soaps, so I might be a

bit biased.



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TWRTW106Threads:1

Posts:3

May 21, 09, 05:27pm #13

You might also try changing up some of your sentences. Most of them have

a subject of "computer games". That gives the paragraphs a rather

repetitive feel. Also, try to stay away from basic overused words.

"When we are verybored tired or stressed, Computer games are good

source ofenjoyment."

Words like very, and good are overused and should be avoided. Even

enjoyment could be spiced up to something like amusment, a diversion, or

even a thrill.

Other than that, I enjoyed your essay!


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Jimmy Bonstrom

nick94Threads:2

Posts:19

May 21, 09, 05:34pm #14

Does the Wii count as a COMPUTER game? That aside my only suggestion is

that you could mention the life saving benefits of video games. This would

only work if the topic was video games in general unless you could show

how games like the Wii are computer games. It has been shown that

doctors who play video games (I don't remember if it was a certain type of

video game) make X% fewer mistakes in surgery. (I don't remember the

exact percentage so I put "X")


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Nicholas Kjeldgaard

EF_SeanThreads:6


May 21, 09, 06:43pm #15

That's a point -- computer games would seem to imply PC games only. I just

sort of assumed that you meant videogames in general, as there really isn't

a great deal of difference between PCs and videogame consoles any more.



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maextra7Threads:2

Posts:11

May 26, 09, 09:47am #16

To make your essay a bit stronger in view point you could list a few well

known negative views found quite often in the media and perhaps counter

it with a positive view point.

For example, "It is widely remarked that playing computer games

encourages people to be lazy and is turning us into a nation of couch

potato's. However this is no longer the case as we have gaming consoles

such as the Nintendo Wii which encourage social activity and promote

general exercise."

Playing these games can help children feel comfortable with technology; give them the chance to

compete against themselves, rather than another child; and can help children learn to pay close

attention, follow directions, and solve problems. Despite these advantages, computer and video games

should never replace other types of play.

2. Some computer games can teach as well as entertain.


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3. Play, especially during early childhood, performs important roles in psychological, social and

intellectual development, and could be defined as a voluntary activity that is intrinsically motivating,

involves some level of activity (often physical) and may possess make-believe qualities. These attributes

closely match those of modern educational theories where learning should be a self-motivated and

rewarding activity.

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Computer Games and violence is a topic that is very controversial in America