Saturday, April 7, 2012

Can violent and sexually-themed games be held responsible for the behavior of those who play them? Explain your answer.


I will have to say absolutely not. There is no way possible that the companies that come up with these games know that it will cause violence or anything. Now don’t get me wrong these games may contain graphic details of things children and teens don’t need to be looking at but that is where the parent fall into place. As stated in the text: “we try to make judgments on what the positive and negative impact of the games studied might be.” That being said parents are responsible for children under age and the teens that should know better are responsible for themselves. I mean really honestly, do people really blame the manufacturers of these games for the way some society is today? They only make what sells, in other words they keep up with what is popular. For example I stated before that my husband plays that Grand Theft Auto game and he has being playing it for years and there is nothing wrong with him. He hasn’t gone out a stole a car or beat up and killed someone. There is absolutely no way possible that they should be held responsible.

Reference: Campbell, R., Martin, C., & Fabos, B. (2010). Media and Culture: an introduction to mass communications.

Do you play electronic games? If so, which games do you play and why? If not, explain why not? Do you think electronic games may have a positive effect on culture? Explain your answer.


Yes I do play electronic games; I play the Sims all of them and most of the Nintendo games. Sims was introduced to me when I was in high school and honestly I wasn’t into it than at all it didn’t interest me. Until 5 years ago my husband was telling me about it and played with me until I understood and now it is something I would play when I’m bored with nothing else to do. Nintendo I have been playing that since I was a kid I just love it all together. As stated in the text, “video games have been blamed for everything from childhood obesity to school shootings, from moral corruption to antisocial behavior.” Honestly I have to say that it depends on the game. I have been playing Nintendo since I was a child and there is absolutely nothing wrong with me. They have all these different types of games coming out or already out that of shooting, killing, sexual content, and robbing. What do they expect kids or teens to get from this? It really just depends on the game.

Reference: Campbell, R., Martin, C., & Fabos, B. (2010). Media and Culture: an introduction to mass communications.

In this week’s video, Bill Goodykoontz discusses the effects of violence on audiences and gamers. How much responsibility do filmmakers, game manufacturers, etc. bear when it comes to depicting violence? How much responsibility do parents have in allowing children exposure to these sources?


I really do not think the manufacturers have anything to do with taking responsibility on anything after the made product is out of their hands. As bill stated in the video, “I am not aware that it has really been proven beyond a doubt that it does makes the audience more violent…… They need to be smart consumers of everything.” Honestly I think parents should take the full responsibility because only they know what is appropriate for their under age children. If the children are of age and know better than that child is responsible for their own actions. As stated in the text, “we try to make judgments on what the positive and negative impact of the games studies might be. We decide what we like and dislike about the stories told through video and computer games”. As parents when your child asks about a game you should already have a response by saying let me do research on it and I will get back to you. No child is going to what to hear that but hey we have to protect them while we can. Most video games have an age restrictions anyways. 9 times out of 10 the parents have full responsibility unless the kids are old enough to where they know better.

Reference: Campbell, R., Martin, C., & Fabos, B. (2010). Media and Culture: an introduction to mass communications.

Goodykoontz B. (2010). Games and Entertainment [Video file]. Retrieved from HUM/176 - Media and American Culture website: https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/secure/aapd/materials/videos/HUM176.html

How do you think the role of news media has changed over the last century? Do you think modern news media creates a better quality of life?

The media has changed drastically over short period of time. It has become so more open that you don’t know what real or what isn’t. It’s to the point where you know what is going to be on the news before the news even know. As stated in the text: “many major newspapers and news networks now offer regular critiques of the facts and falsehoods contained in political advertising”. Although sometimes it is okay for others opinions in any matter I think that the new should be up to the news media. That way we can all get the same information and not this story or that story. I really don’t think that modern news media creates a better quality of life because of the variety of stories that go around. It’s like playing the game telephone. You start off with the truth but once it goes through this person and that person there is always a mix up.
References: Campbell, R., Martin, C., & Fabos, B. (2010). Media and Culture: an introduction to mass communications.