Unit 6 Assignment 3

Gratuitous-When something is there to entertain you.

Informative-To educate us about issues.

Desensitisation-when something doesn't effect you anymore because you're used to it.

When i was watching this scene i found it quite disturbing to see a shard of steel going through Tommy's body. I had the preferred reading for this scene because it is supposed to make me feel uncomfortable and disgusted, which it did.

Effects Model

The effects model is a theory, a theory is somebodies idea, therefore a theory can be wrong. We have to option to agree or disagree because it isn't fact. The effects model was created by a group of people from Frankfurt, they wanted to test how the media effects our behaviour. It sees the media as a 'syringe', a needle that injects you with ideas, it means if you see something in the media, you are most likely to go away an do it. I don't 100% agree with this theory as some people do have common sense. However some people may give in to the theory i.e. children, people who are mentally unstable. These people are passive. The alternative theory is Uses and Gratifications. It focuses on why these people use these media products. It suggests that you are actively using these products for a purpose.

Moral Panic-Creating a panic about something that is seen to be damaging our society.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P6JoEf0zTbYPGrW7cZ9SqUrVqY55lecs-ZOWv5huZUs/edit

Opinionated blog Post

Video games are quickly becoming more and more violent which is becoming a cause for concern to parents, as they fear that their children will be influenced by the violence and it will change them to be bad.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2013/09/18/do-games-like-grand-theft-auto-v-cause-real-world-violence/

This site discusses how people responsible for mass murders and shootings are quickly linked to video games and are labels to be 'addicted' to them i.e. GTA, Dead Space, Mortal Combat, COD Black Ops. It states that video games could be a cause of anger and aggression within these people, though no studies have ever shown a direct link between these games and these horrific events, not to say that its not possible but its unlikely. However the studies have shown mixed results, some showing that the games increase aggression, and others prove otherwise.

Oppositional Readings

'in the media, certain violent video games have proven to be a serious concern with different audiences such as parents, who are urged to do more to protect their children from playing these games, as they supposedly "cause aggression" and "violent behaviour".'

'The level of violence, sexual references and drug references within violent video games results in a wider moral panic, as the media injects ideologies into the audience that violent video games are a serious concern, as they corrupt children and cause aggression.'

In essence I agree with these quotes in that the violent nature of them is teaching young children bad habits that they shouldn't be introduced to at their age, but I don't agree with how they say that it can 'corrupt' the kids or 'cause aggression' because at that age the children probably don't even understand what they're doing. Also if the parents are so concerned about their children being influenced they shouldn't allow them to experience these games in the first place.

Some video games however can have hugely positive impacts on its audience. Brain trainer for the Nintendo DS is a good example as it teaches the gamer how to solve puzzles and equations but in a fun and simple way in the hope to keep them interested in playing and learning. Also games on the wii console can be very beneficial to the gamer through their health and fitness. Games such as wii fit, zumba, just dance and many more are very good for keeping fit and can also teach a range of skills i.e. dancing.

I believe that I have a preferred reading towards video games, violent or not, as I don't feel like I play them enough nor do I get 'hooked' on them enough to have some sort of controlling effect on me or make me feel as if I have to re-create the scenarios in the games I play. I play to enjoy the games but I definitely don't feel like they make me violent.

I believe that nobody can truly be 'passive' enough to try and recreate something they've seen in a game unless its something non-violent. I think that the people who committed these massacres and shootings will have had multiple reasons to why they did it, whether it be problems at home or school i.e. bullied; or if they have some sort of mental health condition making it more difficult for them to control their actions, A violent video game could just be a small trigger that sets of a series of events leading them to believe the crimes they commit are ok. In a way then a video game does have an impact on these peoples decisions but theyre not the main reason behind why these people commit these crimes.