The question on how games affect, if at all, young players has become the holy grail of an entire generation of researchers; this time a study suggests that video games do not trigger aggressive behavior and may, in fact, benefit development.
Most studies about gaming seem to suggest that it is somehow associated with aggressive behavior and has an overall negative impact on a young player's personality. MegaGames recently also reported on a study which seemed to suggest that gaming turns young adults to violent potheads. A study commissioned by the U.K. government however, suggests otherwise. U.K. ministers, concerned by a recent fatal stubbing of a 14-year old by a self-confessed Manhunt fan, asked for research on the connection between violent behavior and gaming.
The results are surprising as the studies found gaming to have beneficial effects on decision-making skills while improving positive learning traits. Additionally, gaming was found to help children conquer fears and develop a sense of identity, much like gory fairy tales used to do in the past.
The research then, found no evidence to suggest a connection between aggressive behavior and bloodthirsty games but the scientists claim that the real issue is the concerns of adults about ...the changing nature of childhood in a modern world. The same studies suggest that most evidence connecting gaming with aggressive behavior comes from the U.S. and does not take into account the context in which games are played.
The reaction in Europe to video games has not been as frantic as that in the U.S. and, oddly enough, game-related crimes are not commonplace. The fact is that research into the effects of gaming cannot be reliable yet as we do not have adequate data, especially since gaming had changed dramatically over the past two decades. What the immense volume of research into gaming can tell us, reliably, is that the medium has become as mainstream as TV and the cinema.