A new study reveals that playing violent video games might decrease stress hormones and does not increase aggression, challenging previous assumptions about the negative impact of these games on behavior.

In a surprising twist to the long-debated topic of video game violence, a recent study suggests that playing violent video games might actually decrease stress hormones in some players. Contrary to popular belief, the study found no increase in aggressive tendencies, indicating a more complex relationship between video game content and player responses than previously thought. The findings have been published in the scientific journal Physiology & Behavior.

For years, the impact of violent video games on behavior has been a contentious subject. Past research has often pointed towards a potential increase in aggression and stress among players of these games. This belief has fueled ongoing debates among parents, educators, and policymakers regarding the suitability of such games for young audiences. Motivated by these discussions and inconsistencies in previous findings, researchers embarked on a new study to explore the physiological and psychological effects of violent video games more comprehensively.

    • kajko@feddit.nu
      20·
      11 months ago

      The key is adjusting difficulty so that it’s not too boring but not too frustrating. I am really bad at Elden Ring but I just made myself over leveled and it’s quite fun. Occasionally I just get help for a boss if it’s too frustrating.

      I am too old to care about the pride of being good at it though.

      • corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca
        31·
        11 months ago

        This.

        I used to be great at shooters; I’d pull off some ridiculous lucky shot and get accused of botting.

        Now I play other games when I have a gap between projects. It’s fun, it’s mindless, and the cacophony of images swirling past my attention settles down in a respite that meditation can’t give me.

        I can’t tell you whether or not the violent imagery has or will break my brain faster or slower than karate or the army did. Why don’t we work on the big picture now and work the fine edges later.

      • Lmaydev@programming.dev
        81·
        11 months ago

        Yeah people seem to forget you can just play games for fun.

        It doesn’t have to be a challenge or a competition.

        • QueriesQueried@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          2·
          11 months ago

          There’s a reason different genres exist. For some, not having a challenge or competition is inherently unfun, others might not have fun in single player games. Generally speaking a game that doesn’t challenge you at all though, isn’t fun for many. Not that they cannot be fun at all, Animal Crossing is one of the larger games around, but it certainly cannot fill the “game” void for everyone.

          • Lmaydev@programming.dev
            1·
            11 months ago

            Totally. But you’ll find many people are judgy if you put your game on easy or mod it to “cheat”

            Someone on the grimdawn Reddit said using the potion was cheating haha

    • Lath@kbin.social
      4·
      11 months ago

      I kinda feel pity for all the online cheaters. They must be under enormous constant stress to be unable to play without cheating.

    • gaael@lemmy.world
      3·
      11 months ago

      I’m really bad at them - I usually get the “clickbait” title in CS2 ^^ And it’s still a stress relief method, and I’m still anti gun, anti violence and I (most of the time) don’t act put of anger.