{"id":1949768,"date":"2023-06-16T23:18:02","date_gmt":"2023-06-17T03:18:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/in-depth-computer-games-feature-same-conditioning-as-military-training-psychologist-warns\/"},"modified":"2023-06-16T23:21:02","modified_gmt":"2023-06-17T03:21:02","slug":"in-depth-computer-games-feature-same-conditioning-as-military-training-psychologist-warns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/in-depth-computer-games-feature-same-conditioning-as-military-training-psychologist-warns\/","title":{"rendered":"Psychologist warns: Computer games mimic military training."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fin-depth-computer-games-feature-same-conditioning-as-military-training-psychologist-warns%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1949768&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div class=\"post_content\">\n<div class=\"aplayer_app\" data-source=\"https:\/\/vs1.youmaker.com\/assets\/2023\/0617\/b369c44b-85e4-4789-8ad4-ab420657bbf3\/audio.mp3?length=9517005&#038;duration=793\"><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<h2>Violent Entertainment: A How-To Manual for Killers?<\/h2>\n<p>As <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-gun-owners-data-breached-after-state-unveils-firearms-portal\/\" title=\"California Gun Owner\u2019s Data Breached After State Unveils Firearms Portal\">mass shootings continue<\/a> to make headlines, one man has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nycs-top-doc-apologizes-for-describing-mothers-as-birthing-people\/\" title=\"NYC\u2019s Top Doc Apologizes for Describing Mothers as \u201cBirthing People\u201d\">spent years studying<\/a> the factors that drive individuals to commit acts of violence. According to retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, it is clear that violent entertainment plays a significant role in shaping the minds of potential killers.<\/p>\n<p>Grossman, a psychologist, author, and public speaker, compares the influence of violent media to the conditioning that soldiers undergo during military basic training. He argues that the media, particularly computer games, normalize abnormal behavior and even reward injury and death.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cThis is pathological play; this is dysfunctional play,\u201d Grossman told The Epoch Times.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>A resolution passed by the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2015 supports Grossman&#8217;s claim. The resolution states that scientific research has shown a connection between violent video game use and increases in aggressive behavior, as well as decreases in prosocial behavior and moral engagement.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4211880\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/img.theepochtimes.com\/assets\/uploads\/2022\/01\/13\/alex-haney-xWkRYoSf8_c-unsplash-1200x800.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><\/noscript><\/figcaption><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Some believe that for children, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/shocking-exclusive-auditors-selected-by-arizona-maricopa-county-board-of-supervisors-send-message-to-observers-f-you\/\" title=\"SHOCKING EXCLUSIVE: Auditors Selected by Arizona Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Send Message to Observers: \u201cF@#$ You\u201d\">playing video games<\/a> that depict cartoon violence can have the same effect as seeing real violence. (Alex Haney\/Unsplash)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<h3>Debating the Connection<\/h3>\n<p>While Grossman&#8217;s claims are supported by the APA, critics argue that the link between violent entertainment and actual violence is weak. Chris Ferguson, a psychology professor, has conducted meta-analyses of several studies and found little evidence to support Grossman&#8217;s assertions.<\/p>\n<p>However, Grossman stands by his argument. He believes that video games teach killing through a process called &#8220;operant conditioning,&#8221; similar to how soldiers are trained. This conditioning creates automatic responses to threatening or hostile behavior, known as &#8220;muscle memory.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4515047\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/img.theepochtimes.com\/assets\/uploads\/2022\/06\/06\/GettyImages-1240721813-1200x799.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><\/noscript><\/figcaption><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Members of the 182nd Infantry Regiment load their weapons with live ammunition during training at Fort Dix in New Jersey. (Joseph Prezioso\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Grossman points to the changes in military training methods after World War II as evidence of the effectiveness of conditioning. The U.S. military adapted its training to increase soldiers&#8217; firing rates, which had been alarmingly low during the war. Grossman argues that first<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/in-depth-computer-games-feature-same-conditioning-as-military-training-psychologist-warns\/\" title=\"Psychologist warns: Computer games mimic military training.\">-person shooter games provide similar training experiences<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>While critics like Ferguson argue that millions of gamers never engage in real-world violence, Grossman believes that the desensitization to violence and the association of pleasure with violent activities can have damaging effects, especially on children and young adolescents.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4447763\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/img.theepochtimes.com\/assets\/uploads\/2022\/05\/05\/GettyImages-1367498013-1200x800.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><\/noscript><\/figcaption><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A competitor at her computer terminal during a gaming event. (Hugh Hastings\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<h2>The Role of Fun<\/h2>\n<p>While critics argue that people can distinguish between fictional violence and reality, Grossman believes that the element of fun in violent games is part of the problem. He points to games like &#8220;Grand Theft Auto,&#8221; where players are rewarded for violent acts, including carjacking and killing. Grossman warns that children and young adolescents may struggle to differentiate between the game&#8217;s realism and real-life consequences.<\/p>\n<p>However, Ferguson counters that critics often selectively blame games for crimes, ignoring instances where perpetrators had no history of gaming. He suggests that focusing on mental health care and building better facilities is a more effective solution.<\/p>\n<h2>Responsibility of the Media<\/h2>\n<p>Grossman agrees that mental health care is crucial, but he also believes that the media must take responsibility for its marketing and handling of violent content. He argues that computer games receive most of the blame, but movies and television programs also contribute to the problem.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s time the media man up and accept some responsibility,\u201d Grossman said.<\/p>\n<h2>A Historical Perspective<\/h2>\n<p>This is not the first time a new technology has faced scrutiny. In the early 20th century, films depicting prizefights were regulated due to concerns about violence. The Supreme Court even ruled that movies were not protected by the First Amendment.<\/p>\n<p>While the debate continues, it is clear that the influence of violent entertainment on individuals, particularly young people, is a topic that requires further examination.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>training molds soldiers. Grossman argues that exposure to violent entertainment desensitizes individuals to violence and teaches them tactics and techniques that can be used in real-life situations. He emphasizes the need for society to address the impact of violent media on individuals&#8217; behavior and take steps to mitigate its influence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1615,"featured_media":1949769,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[6960,4505,15307,14944,4213,3633],"class_list":["post-1949768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times","tag-games","tag-military","tag-mimic","tag-psychologist","tag-training","tag-warns"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1949768","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1615"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1949768"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1949768\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1949769"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1949768"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1949768"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1949768"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}