The question of whether or not violence in the media can be linked to aggressive behavior in real life is a common one addressed by social psychologists–Answered YES in the work of Craig Anderson and Brad Bushman (2001; 2002). I thought of it when I read the news report linked below about online gamers whose virtual rivalry escalated to homicide:
Online game rivalry ends with real life murder
Something to think about the next time you wonder if venting in online environments might make you a more peaceful person in the ‘real world’…
References:
Anderson, C. A., & Bushman, B. J. (2002). The effects of media violence on society. Science, 295, 2377-2379.
Bushman, B. J. & Anderson, C. A. (2001). Media violence and the American public: Scientific facts versus media misinformation. American Psychologist, 56, 477-489. [READ THE ARTICLE!]