Gaming is one of the many activities people use to control their mood and maintain their emotional state. The effects of video games on the psyche have been raised regularly throughout the industry’s history. More often than not, the mainstream TV channels, radio airwaves, or any other media space sources put video games in a negative light. Digital entertainment is referred to as increased aggression in society and crimes committed by people with mental disorders.
The media has often blamed video games, particularly Call of Duty, for several types of crimes and inappropriate actions. An example would be when a man escaped from prison, then came out of hiding to buy that game. While trying to apprehend him, he attacked an officer (Fugitive comes out). At the same time, in 2017, scientists in Germany summed up the results of a four-year study in which they tested Call of Duty players. The study aimed to reveal the impact of games on a person’s worldview. After the gameplay, the subjects were shown pictures of real-life brutality and compared with the reactions of a second group who did not play. It turned out that both groups responded in the same way. Besides, video games are used for therapeutic purposes: they allow participants to experience novelty, help maintain attention over a long period, develop social skills, and help with cognitive recovery (Griffith et al. 71). Accordingly, the view that video games containing violent scenes harm the human psyche and make people aggressive is highly subjective and not holistic.
The most well-known effects of video games usually report perceived negative impacts. These include game addiction, increased violence, and various psychosocial consequences. These effects should not be forgotten, but there are many references in the literature to the positive benefits of video games. The topic needs to be studied and dealt with from different angles, as the issue is quite acute and relevant.
Works Cited
Fugitive comes out of hiding to buy new ‘Call of Duty’ video game, police say. KTVU FOX 2, 2021, Web.
Griffith, Mark, et al. Videogames as Therapy. International Journal of Privacy and Health Information Management, vol. 5, no. 2, 2017, pp. 71–96.