Blog #3 - Sample Intro/thesis aka The FatSpanishMan talks about one of his true loves

Blog #3 – Sample Intro/Thesis

The intro before the intro – After we were told that we had to write an argumentative research paper, I could not come up with a good one with my current topic.  If you’ve read/seen my 2^nd blog post, then you’ve noticed that I changed my topic.  My new topic is to disprove that violent video games make children more aggressive but I’ll also argue that video games are beneficial to children in a variety of ways.

            Most educators, politicians, local media, parents, tutors, your neighbor and their mom will tell you that video games are bad for you; they’re violent, pointless and make children more violent because they try to imitate what they see.  Research has been conducted to prove all of this to be true.  But what if the research/researcher was biased when the research was conducted?  When it comes to research, research methodology is everything.  The researchers that tried to prove their theory that violent video games led to children being more aggressive and violent misinterpreted the results and made exaggerated results based on the available data.  Past and current studies show that there is no connection with violent video games and aggression.  It also shows that video games can be beneficial for children.

Blog #2 - Annotated Bibliography

Annotated Bibliography

Barenthin, Jami, and Marieke Van Puymbroeck. "Research Update: The Joystick Generation." Parks & Recreation 41.8 (2006): 24-29. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. Print.

This article shows positive and negative effects of violent and non-violent video games on adolescences, teenagers and undergraduate students.  The negative effects are that violent video games can lead to increased aggression and social deficiencies in the subjects.  The positive effects are enhanced problem solving skills and improved social skills.  They offer advice to parents about how to regulate what and how much children/adolescences play.

Ferguson, Christopher J., and John Kilburn. "Much Ado About Nothing: The Misestimation and Overinterpretation of Violent Video Game Effects in Eastern and Western Nations: Comment on Anderson et al. (2010)." Psychological Bulletin 136.2 (2010): 174-178. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. Print.

This article directly refutes a paper that C.A. Anderson et al wrote.  Ferguson and Kilburn argue that there is little evidence that violent video games lead to increased aggression.  They state that their research methodology is flawed and their apparent use of biased studies drive their claim.

Huesmann, L. Rowell. "Nailing the Coffin Shut on Doubts That Violent Video Games Stimulate Aggression: Comment on Anderson et al. (2010)." Psychological Bulletin 136.2 (2010): 179-181. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. Print.

This article defends the claims that C.A. Anderson et al made during their meta-analysis of violent video games and aggression in adolescences and children.

Jenkins, Henry. "Make Meaning, Not War." Independent School 63.4 (2004): 38-48. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. Print.

This article explains both sides of the video game argument with the help of two different models of learning from David Grossman and humanistic researchers.  He also mentions what educators can do to use violent and non-violent video games to teach children.

"Lessons We've Learned from Society." Library Technology Reports 45.5 (2009): 7-10. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. Print.

In this article, they mention how the largest study showed that the link between video games and violent behavior is minimal.  It also shows that video games can help shape children’s social skills and problem-solving.

McCormick, Patrick. "Moral Kombat." U.S. Catholic 74.4 (2009): 42-43. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. Print.

In this article, McCormick argues that video games are fun, challenging, help build problem-solving skills and are engaged in active critical thinking. There is also a good Jesus reference.

Mitrofan, O., M. Paul, and N. Spencer. "Is Aggression in Children with Behavioural and Emotional Difficulties Associated with Television Viewing and Video Game Playing? A Systematic Review." Child: Care, Health & Development 35.1 (2009): 5-15. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. Print.

In this article, the authors discuss 12 studies about the link with increased aggression with violent video games and television.  The results were mixed.

Muir, Hazel. "The Violent Games People Play." New Scientist 184.2470 (2004): 26. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. Print.

In this article, Hazel agrees in part that violent video games increase aggression in children but does not agree with their research methodology.  He says it’s not cause and effect; aggressive children tend to play violent video games.

Phillips, Helen. "Mind-Altering Media. (Cover story)." New Scientist 194.2600 (2007): 33-37. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. Print.

In this article, Phillips explains that the negative of violent video games outweighs the benefits but points out that the way researcher gather information is wrong.  She also believes the parents should be more involved with what children watch and play.

Porter, Guy, and Vladan Starcevic. "Are Violent Video Games Harmful?." Australasian Psychiatry 15.5 (2007): 422-426. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. Print.

In this article, the authors argues that the research methodology used to measure violent video games and aggression cannot measure probably that correlation.  They also say that children with violent tendencies and history of aggression should not be exposed to violent video games.

Taylor, Drew. "'Depraved' Videogames Get Serious." Eureka Street 19.23 (2009): 38-39. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. Print.

In this article, the author mentions positive aspects of video games in society and some of the philanthropic things that companies participate in.

Williams, Dmitri, and Marko Skoric. "Internet Fantasy Violence: A Test of Aggression in an Online Game." Communication Monographs 72.2 (2005): 217-233. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 8 Oct. 2010. Print.

In this article, the authors conduct a study with a control group to see if violent online gaming leads to increased aggression in the real word.