Researchers analyzing the impact of video games on empathy have found limited evidence that such games weaken users’ empathy towards real-world violence. This contradicts previous studies that suggested a potential causal relationship between violence in video games and decreased empathy.
The study, conducted by Austrian neuroscientists Claus Lamm and Lukas Lengersdorff, focused on adult participants to avoid ethical concerns regarding the study’s effect on children. They evaluated empathy levels before and after playing aggressive video games and found no discernible decreases.
During the study, 89 adult males played seven different computer game sessions lasting an hour each over several days. Approximately half of the participants were asked to play an exceptionally brutal version of the popular game Grand Theft Auto V, with the goal of killing as many characters as possible. The other half played a modified version of the same game in which all killing was removed, and they were instead asked to take pictures of as many characters as possible.
To measure empathy, each participant underwent an empathy test before their gaming session, which involved measuring their responses to electric stimuli delivered by human subjects. The researchers also monitored the brain activity of each participant, particularly in regions associated with empathy, such as the anterior insula and anterior cingulate cortex.
After completing the one-hour gaming session, the researchers measured the empathy levels of both groups again. As before, this involved summarizing both external and electroencephalogram (EEG) brain responses to others’ suffering.
Comparing the results, the researchers found no noticeable changes in empathy before or after playing aggressive video games. Additionally, there were no statistically significant differences in empathy outcomes between the group that attempted to kill characters and the group that tried to photograph characters.
“Several hours of violence in computer games do not significantly affect the empathy of mentally healthy adult participants,” explained the research team. “We can draw this conclusion clearly. Our results contradict the findings of previous studies that reported negative effects after just a few minutes of gameplay.”
While the researchers believe more studies should be conducted, they acknowledge the ethical challenges associated with examining the impact on children.
In their published study, featured in the journal eLife, the researchers quickly point out that their findings do not necessarily indicate the absence of long-term effects on empathy resulting from prolonged exposure to violent video games.
“Because this is such a sensitive topic, we must interpret these results very cautiously,” explained lead author Lukas Lengersdorff from the University of Vienna, who conducted the study as part of his doctoral research. “We cannot conclude that violent video games are now definitively considered harmless. Our study does not provide sufficient data for such claims.”
The researchers also note that their study did not address the main concern regarding the long-term effects of violence in video games on the brains of children, which exhibit significantly greater plasticity than adult brains. They highlight that even attempting to study the impact of violent video games on children can prove particularly challenging.
“The most important question, of course, is whether children and young people are also resistant to violence in video games,” posed Lamm from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, who led the research group. “The young brain is very plastic, so repeated exposure to violent depictions may have a much greater effect. But, of course, these questions are difficult to experimentally investigate without breaching the boundaries of scientific ethics.”
In any case, the research team asserts that studying the impact of these types of games on empathy is important, and their work should be regarded as another step in a series of future studies.
“Strong experimental controls and longitudinal studies that allow for causal conclusions are needed to make clear statements about the effects of violence in video games,” said Lamm. “We wanted to take a step in that direction with our study.”
FAQ Section based on the main topics and information presented in the article:
1. What do researchers believe is the impact of video games on empathy?
Researchers believe there is limited evidence to suggest that video games weaken users’ empathy towards real-world violence.
2. Why did the researcher only use adult participants in their study?
The researcher used only adult participants to avoid violating ethical principles concerning studying the impact of aggressive video games on children.
3. What did the researchers analyze in their study?
The researchers analyzed the empathy of participants before and after playing aggressive video games. They also conducted an empathy test and monitored each participant’s brain activity.
4. What were the results of the study?
The study found no noticeable differences in empathy levels before and after playing aggressive video games. Additionally, the comparison between groups showed that players who attempted to kill characters and players who tried to photograph characters did not exhibit statistically significant differences in their empathy outcomes.
5. Do the researchers believe that video games are entirely harmless?
The researchers do not believe that violent video games are entirely harmless. They emphasize that their study does not provide sufficient data to support such claims. Further research in this field is necessary.
6. Did the study include children?
The study did not include children, and the researchers highlight ethical issues associated with studying the impact of video games on empathy in children.
7. Do the researchers recommend conducting further studies?
Yes, the researchers believe that studying the impact of video games on empathy is important, and their work should be considered as a step towards future research. They recommend further studies with strong experimental controls and longitudinal analyses.
Definitions of key terms and jargon:
1. Empathy – the ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
2. Aggressive video games – video games that involve violent elements such as fighting or killing characters.
3. Evaluation – the process of assessing or examining something to obtain results.
4. External reactions – visible signs of a person’s response to external stimuli, such as facial expressions or physical movements.
5. Brain’s electrical reactions – changes in brain’s electrical activity that can be monitored to examine a person’s responses.
Suggested related links:
– eLife: the journal where the study was published
– University of Vienna: the research institution to which the researchers belong
– Karolinska Institute in Stockholm: another research institution involved in the study
The source of the article is from the blog crasel.tk