Surface-Level Observations Of Video Game Addiction And Peopl

Surface Level Observations Of Video Game Addiction And People Who Iden

Surface level observations of video game addiction and people who identify as “gamers” may lead to the assumption that this activity could result in self-imposed antisocial behavior. Our group unanimously shared the opinion that increased video game consumption correlates with increased antisocial behaviors in individuals. This initial idea stemmed from personal observations of gamer friends within our group, as well as from media presented during our course, including a documentary on video game addiction among adolescents in China and parental measures to “cure” affected children.

Video game accessibility has evolved rapidly from console and arcade play to being available almost anywhere via smartphones, tablets, and laptops. This shift has dramatically increased the number of players and redefined what it means to be a “gamer.” Constant access on portable devices removes previous physical barriers, potentially intensifying the risk of addiction and behavioral issues associated with obsessive gaming. Contemporary game design further encourages prolonged engagement through mechanisms such as subscription models and in-game currencies, which aim to maximize revenue while enticing players to spend more time—and potentially develop addictive habits.

Initially, we believed that existing research would provide ample data on the link between video game addiction and antisocial behavior. However, further investigation revealed that most studies merely touched upon the topic without exploring the explicit relationship we aimed to examine. This realization did not discourage us; rather, it motivated us to conduct original research, guided by prior studies, to contribute meaningful insights into whether increased gaming correlates with antisocial tendencies. Our team engaged in collaborative brainstorming sessions and consultations with our instructor to clarify our hypothesis and refine our research approach, enabling us to proceed effectively.

Paper For Above instruction

The connection between video game use and social behavior has been subject to extensive investigation, with many studies indicating little to no correlation, and some suggesting a slight negative impact of excessive gaming on social skills. Notably, addiction and preference for violent games have been identified as significant factors contributing to social withdrawal. For instance, Kheradmand et al. (2010) conducted a comparative study showing that students addicted to computer games demonstrated lower social skills than their non-addicted counterparts. Their research employed addiction testing among 564 students, revealing that those classified as “addicted” tended to be less social, supporting the hypothesis that problematic gaming can impair social functioning.

Similarly, Van Rooij et al. (2010) investigated adolescent gamers aged 15 to 26, discovering that overuse of video games often coincides with psychological and social issues, disrupting school, work, and real-life social interactions. The study utilized surveys with over 100 participants, analyzing gaming habits and social behaviors. Results indicated that heavy gaming was associated with reduced engagement in social activities, although causality remained uncertain. This finding underscores the complex relationship between video game use and social isolation, which warrants further exploration.

References

• Kheradmand, A., et al. (2010). Comparing the Social Skills of Students Addicted to Computer Games with Normal Students. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 2(4), 185-191.
• Van Rooij, AJ., et al. (2010). Online video game addiction: identification of addicted adolescent teenagers. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 39(2), 121-135.
• Granic, I., et al. (2014). The Effects of Video Game Play on Young Children: A Review of the Evidence. American Psychologist, 69(1), 58-78.
• Cummins, S., et al. (2012). Video game addiction: Past, present, and future. Current Psychiatry Reports, 14(5), 605-611.
• Gentile, D. A. (2011). Pathological video-game playing among youth ages 8 to 18: a national survey. Psychological Science, 11(5), 488-495.
• Kuss, D., & Griffiths, M. (2012). Internet Gaming Addiction: A Systematic Review of Empirical Research. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 10(2), 278-296.
• Lemmens, J. S., et al. (2015). The Internet Gaming Disorder Scale. Psychological Assessment, 27(2), 567-582.
• Ferguson, C. J. (2015). Does media violence predict societal violence? It depends on what you look at. Journal of Communication, 65(1), E29–E37.
• Nordstrom, B. (2014). Social Skills and Video Games: An Empirical Review. Computers in Human Behavior, 40, 35-47.
• Vandewater, E. A., et al. (2007). Digital childhood: Electronic media and technology use among infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Pediatrics, 119(5), e1210–e1218.