Videogames 7 - videogames and the effects model

Effects Model 

Proposed by Albert Bandura, it stipulates that media has a direct effect on us.
Representations of violence can 'model' or demonstrate violent behavior, and audiences 'copy' violet and socially unacceptable behavior they see in a media product. 

The bobo doll experiment only showed that children are easily manipulated and they will copy what an adult does, this does not mean they will copy what is happening in a videogame and no correlation between them has been proved. 

There are many issues with the effects model and is possibly one of the most controversial theory's in the media. Videogames are defiantly violent, however, there is arguably no evidence that media products have such a direct effect on audiences. 

Alternative theory's
  • Stuart Hall - Reception Theory - audiences negotiate media products based on their own culture, background, and understanding 
  • George Gurbner - Cultivation theory - audiences are manipulated through repetition of ideological perspectives 
  • Henry Jenkins - Fandom - audiences can use or take pleasure from media products in literally any way they want, even if this completely contradicts the dominant reading.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
How might this game affect it's audience?
it could cause potential harm or distress as there is so many violent scenes. People playing this videogame are actually playing the violent characters themselves where tehy are murdering and killing so many people. 

If we are to believe the effects model and to take it at face value, what behavior in this gameplay could be copied?
There are racist comments throughout which could effect players behavior and make them say racist comments. They could potential start to become violent but there is no proven evidence that people who play videogames and have been  or will be violent.
What elements from this gameplay footage may cause concern for parents, teachers and other caregivers? 
All of the game play footage where there might be fighting going on would deffinatly cause concern for some parents as they don't want this to influence their children as they can be more easilly manipulated. 

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