Video Game Violence Debate: Experts' Credentials Reveal a Widening Gap

Strategic Insights -

The scientific debate on the effects of video game violence on teenagers has intensified, with new research indicating that experts who argue that video games are harmful possess significantly more evidence and stronger credentials than their counterparts who defend the games' safety. A study analyzing the credentials of experts who filed briefs in the US Supreme Court case Schwarzenegger v. Entertainment Merchants Association found that 60% of those arguing that video violence is harmful have published at least one scientific study on aggression or violence in general, compared to only 17% of those who disagree.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed the credentials of 115 experts who signed the Gruel brief, which argues that video violence is harmful, and 82 experts who signed the Millett brief, which defends the safety of video games.
  • 60% of the Gruel brief signers have published at least one scientific study on aggression or violence in general, compared to only 17% of the Millett brief signers.
  • When examining the topic of media violence specifically, 37% of the Gruel brief signers have published at least one study in that area, compared to just 13% of the Millett brief signers.
  • Signers of the Gruel brief had published over 48 times more studies in top-tier journals than did those who signed the Millett brief.
  • The study's results provide strong support for the argument that video game violence is indeed harmful.

Statistics:

  • 60% of the Gruel brief signers have published at least one scientific study on aggression or violence in general.
  • 17% of the Millett brief signers have published at least one scientific study on aggression or violence in general.
  • 37% of the Gruel brief signers have published at least one study on media violence.
  • 13% of the Millett brief signers have published at least one study on media violence.
  • Signers of the Gruel brief published over 48 times more studies in top-tier journals than did those who signed the Millett brief.

Sources:

  • Bushman, B., Anderson, C. A., & Sacks, D. P. (no date). Expert credentials and the harm caused by violent video games. Law Review Colloquy.
  • Schwarzenegger v. Entertainment Merchants Association (no date).

IANS India Pvt. Ltd. (April 21).