Do Video Games Encourage Sexist Behavior Please Respond To T

Do Video Games Encourage Sexist Behavior Please Respond To The Fol

"Do Video Games Encourage Sexist Behavior?" Please respond to the following: Discuss one or two conflicting issues involving the view that video games encourage sexist behavior. Debate It – Take a position on this statement: Violent video games encourage sexist behavior in adolescent and adult men. Support your views with two or three reasons and / or examples. (Cite any sources you referenced.)

Paper For Above instruction

Video games have become a pervasive form of entertainment worldwide, influencing a diverse demographic that includes adolescents and adults. The debate over whether these games encourage sexist behavior is complex, involving conflicting research findings and interpretations. Some scholars argue that violent and discriminatory content in video games can promote sexist attitudes, especially when such messages are embedded in gameplay and narratives. Others contend that there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct causal link between video game content and sexist behavior, emphasizing instead the influence of broader social and cultural factors.

One compelling argument supporting the view that violent video games encourage sexist behavior is anchored in social learning theory. This theory suggests that individuals learn behaviors through observation and imitation. Violent video games often depict gender stereotypes, such as female characters being sexualized or portrayed as subordinate to male characters, and male characters engaging in aggressive or dominant actions. Exposure to such content may reinforce stereotypical gender roles and normalize behaviors that exemplify sexism. For example, research by Dill, Anderson, and Collins (2008) indicates that playing violent video games with sexist content can influence players' attitudes toward women, making them more accepting of aggressive and disrespectful behavior towards females.

Furthermore, empirical studies demonstrate that prolonged exposure to sexist and violent video games correlates with increased acceptance of sexist norms and attitudes. For instance, Bushman and Huesmann (2006) found that exposure to media portrayals of violence and sexism can alter perceptions of gender roles, making individuals more permissive of aggressive acts against women. Moreover, these games often reward the player for sexually objectifying female characters, which can lead to a desensitization to sexism and violence against women. Such desensitization potentially translates into real-world acceptability of sexist attitudes and behaviors, particularly among impressionable adolescents and young adult men.

Conversely, critics argue that the relationship between violent video games and sexist behavior is overestimated and that individual differences, social context, and personal morals play significant roles in determining behavior. They point out that many gamers distinguish game content from real life and do not exhibit abusive or sexist behaviors outside the gaming environment. Additionally, some research suggests that violent and sexist content in media, including video games, may serve as a form of safe expression of aggressive drives, thereby reducing the likelihood of actual violent or sexist acts (Ferguson, 2010). Thus, blaming video games alone oversimplifies the multifaceted nature of human behavior and societal influences on sexism.

In conclusion, while there is evidence indicating that violent video games with sexist content can influence attitudes and normalize sexist behavior, the relationship is not straightforward. It involves complex interactions between media exposure, individual predispositions, and cultural factors. Nevertheless, given the potential for such media to reinforce harmful stereotypes and attitudes, it is crucial to approach violent and sexist content in video games critically and promote responsible gaming practices. Further research is needed to clarify the extent of this influence and develop effective interventions to mitigate potential negative effects.

References

• Bushman, B. J., & Huesmann, L. R. (2006). Effect of violent video games on aggressive behavior. Psychological Science, 17(3), 253-259.
• Dill, K. E., Anderson, C. A., & Collins, R. (2008). Effects of violent and sexual video games on aggressive behavior and attitudes. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 2(4), 206–221.
• Ferguson, C. J. (2010). Blazing angels or resident evil? Can violent video games be a force for good? Review of General Psychology, 14(2), 68-81.
• Huesmann, L. R., & Taylor, L. D. (2006). The role of media violence in violent behavior. In Handbook of violence and aggressive behavior (pp. 245-264). Elsevier.
• Gentile, D. A., Coyne, S., & Walsh, D. A. (2011). Media violence, physical aggression, and relational aggression in childhood and adolescence: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 137(2), 151–174.
• Griffiths, M. (2016). An overview of research on violent video games and their effects. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 19(1), 3-8.
• Valkenburg, P. M., & Peter, J. (2011). Online communication and adolescent well-being: Testing the stimulation versus the displacement hypothesis. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 55(4), 581-599.
• Williams, D., & Skoric, M. (2005). Internet fantasy violence: A test of aggression accommodations. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 8(2), 111-132.
• Griffiths, M. D., & Nuyens, F. (2017). An overview of structural characteristics in problematic video game playing. Current Psychiatry Reports, 19, 23.
• Spielberger, C. D. (2010). State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 (STAXI-2): Professional manual. Psychological Assessment Resources.