If you have been keeping up with recent events, you have probably heard about the Virginia Tech shootings.  A deep and moving tragedy, the senseless loss of life has affected people across the nation.  Flags were set at half mast, moments of silence were had in several schools, and students and others everywhere wore orange in commemoration.  Even I participated, wearing orange and holding discussions for those who were searching for answers, and reasons, as to why anyone would do something so horrible.

It’s human nature to ask “why” after a tragedy, and I think that’s what part of the grieving process is all about.  If people can find a reason in all the sadness and loss, then they can come to terms with their own emotions about the loss.  Rationalization makes emotional adjustment easier, allowing people to say “Well, he was disturbed” or “He had social problems” or any number of other statements attempting to explain “Why?” 

Of course, sometimes answers don’t come easily, and that’s when people start volunteering their own opinions.  There are ten million scapegoats people like to use for violence.  Media, Society, and Parental Neglect have all been in the public eye as the next fad reason for wanton violence.  No one reason, however, has stirred up as much controversy and conflict as much as video games have. 

Ever since the original Mortal Kombat and Sub Zero’s spine ripping bloody fatality, parents and legislators everywhere have been saying that interactive violence is corrupting our youth.  Beyond all the murder movies, cop dramas, and music with “questionable lyrics”, Video Games have been labeled as a corrupting force, desensitizing our youth to violence, and warping their minds.  They have been called “Murder Simulators” and “Training Devices” for people looking to commit violent acts.  Gamers and Game Supporters however, have been fighting this opinion, stating that someone who would commit a heinous act due to video game influence would do so through any other number of provocations. 

However, through all of the finger pointing and blaming, the psychological verdict is still largely out.  Video games have been shown to affect attitudes toward violence but to what extent has been debated.  Some say games barely affect gamers, no more so than a violent movie, or even a particularly rough game of football would, whereas others say that the repeated exposure to interactive violence greatly increases the chance one would participate in a violent act.  The thing to remember is there is no final verdict on the overall effect of videogames on the Psyche, yet.