A Comparison Study on Violent Video Games: Explained by the Gamers Themselves

This qualitative focus groups analysis examines the harmful effects of violent video games on emotions and behavior by comparing violent video game player\u27s responses to that of non-violent video game players of the same age group. Research on the effects of video games has been done since the 70s, yet more research is needed to better understand the potentially harmful emotional and behavioral effects of playing violent games, especially from the gamers\u27 perspectives. This thesis presents a qualitative analysis of data obtained from focus group sessions among undergraduate college students. Results of the analysis supports the presence as well as absence of violent video game effects, according to violent and non-violent video gamers\u27 personal experiences and in their own words