Changed Attitudes

About

Exposure to violent media may play a role in the development of negative attitudes and behaviors related to health.

In order to support this argument, the authors, Matthews and Brady, conducted a study that involved having 100 participants, undergraduate men who were 18-21 years old, assigned to play a Grand Theft Auto III, a high violence video game, or The Simpsons: Hit and Run, a low violence video game.

While the participants were playing the video games, readings of their blood pressure were taken after a certain amount of time was passed. After the participants were done with game play they completed an affect checklist and a measure of attitudes toward harmful behaviors and violence.

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The Simpsons: Hit and Run, a game played by participants in the study
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Grand Theft Auto 3, a game played by participants in the study
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The player stealing a car in Grand Theft Auto III
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The player kicking a non-playing character in The Simpsons: Hit and Run

Findings

After the study was finished, the authors found that the men assigned to play Grand Theft Auto III exhibited greater increases in blood pressure, a permissive attitude toward the use of alcohol and marijuana, and uncooperative behavior compared to the men assigned to play The Simpsons: Hit and Run. Another conclusion that is brought up in the article is that violent media influences youth raised in violent homes or communities.

Source

Brady SS and Matthews KA. 2006. “Effects of Media Violence on Health-Related OutcomesAmong Young Men.” Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, no.160:341–347.
doi:10.1001/archpedi.160.4.341