Various Cause Effects Of Video Games Psychology Essay

Various Cause Effects Of Video Games Psychology Essay The most successful aspect of video games is that they provide a huge amount of human interaction through imagery and audio, thus encouraging the player to think and act quickly(Wolf, 2001, p15). This aspect makes video games different from any other forms of non-interactive media like television or radio. Video games give clear instructions about actions to be performed to reach particular levels in the game and instils a level of confidence and spirit of victory in its players. They also serve academic purposes and can be utilised as a powerful medium for educating children and youth in a very interesting and powerful manner. For example, video games involving driving can be used as a medium to teach players the traffic rules and penalties imposed if the rules are violated. Puzzle based video games give valuable practice lessons of time management, helps to sharpen specific skills needed to succeed in the game, encourages critical analysis and thought and improves cognitive abiliti es (Wolf, 2001, p17; Seller, 2006, p20). Social Video games have a part in influencing the social behaviour of young players especially children. The interactive gaming gives a virtual environment involving the player and his opponent which is essentially the computer system. In addition to promoting a level of healthy competition among players, the penalties imposed help to give due respect to fellow participants and encourages sportsman spirit to a great extent. Games which involve military contents can help to inculcate patriotism in youngsters as they are made to believe that they are protecting their country from rival attacks. Though there has been criticisms regarding the effect of video games in sparking criminal behaviour among youth, Jenkins (n.d.) observes that the hostile factors contributing to these acts are coming from unsound minds and disrupted families rather than interactive media. In fact, James Gees work highlights the benefits of using video games as effective media for logical problem solving and continuous improvement, thus improving the qualitative skills (Gee, 2001). Psychological Apart from providing relaxation and enjoyment, video games boost the players confidence level and raises curiosity as in most games, each level is exciting and cannot be seen unless the players pass all the previous stages. In children, the level of psychological development obtained leads to sharpening of memory and logical skills, increased mental development and simulation, making them tougher to face the challenges of the real world. Vices Contrary to the popular belief that video game players are just youngsters, Entertainment Software Association(ESA) has shown that 49% of game players are in the age range of 18-49 while the demographic statistics give 52% male and 48% female players (ESA, 2009, p3). The revenue obtained by video game sales in US was $11M in 2008 with Wii console games at the top according to NPD statistics (ESA, 2009, p10). Though the video game industry has flourished and sales figures have been accelerating over the last few decades, a lot of negative publicity has affected the popularity of interactive games to a large extent. Though there are many pros, the bad effects are so obvious and derogatory that they outweigh the advantages to a large extent. Medical The increasing popularity of video games is making more and more youngsters spend considerable amount of time and money in front of the gaming console or computer which has harmful medical effects arising due to addiction (Gunter, 1998, p31). The addiction can lead to childhood obesity as children will find no time for outdoor games which are healthy and provides relaxation and exercise to brain, mind and body. The strain caused by continuous exposure to harmful radiation from television affects a significant number of youngsters by ending up having problems with their eyes. The adult players are even more in danger as the addiction causes a change in lifestyle which trigger a variety of fatal illnesses from high cholesterol to heart attacks in addition to causing spinal alignment problems due to wrong posture. Psychological Most of the video games depict violence and the motto is to kill and succeed. Young minds are particularly interested in games involving violent attacks, abusive language and homicide. Different researches have been conducted in psychological aspects due to violent video games. Anderson et al. (2007, p12-39, p40-60) has described about the different kinds of aggressive behaviour exhibited by children based on which an aggression model is created. The effects of violence can arise from thefts for buying video games to thrills obtained from imitation of the shootings and attacks on innocent subjects. Continuous exposure to violent media has a profound influence on the mental balance of the young player, giving a very wrong impression that killing is winning. Social Recent reports have shown that an average time spent by a child playing console, arcade or home video games is almost 11-13 hours/week (Gentile, 2004, p1; Olson et al.,2007, p1). It means that they get little time for social interactions, academic reading and outdoor games. Decrease in peer association hinders development of social etiquettes, family ties and character. The social and emotional commitments are disrupted by over indulgence in interactive media leading to a set of humans devoid of emotions, respect or self-esteem. The increasing amount of violence and destruction involved in most games and the lonely atmosphere provided acts as detrimental to good social conduct. Stromberg (n.d.) has shown that almost 50% of popular games depict either fantasy or human violence to the extent that they encourage players to become less caring and friendly. According to Gentile Anderson (2003, p131-152), the tendency of aggressive behaviour is affected by repeated game play which often r eward the players for violence. Critical Analysis Wirth et al. (2003) has given that the virtual environment created by video games is essential to establish a spatial presence. But the impression of world as given by games has very little relation with the original real circumstances or actions. The violence and plan of action depicted in these scenarios, if practised in actual circumstances give horrendous repercussions for both the doer and the society. Some researches show video game learning as better to classroom learning in terms of memory retention (Moreno Meyer, 2000, p724) but it does not in any way substitute the knowledge obtained from books, classrooms or other interactive learning techniques but just complements them. The reason for success of video games has been described as the level of active control involved (Greenfield, 1984, p102). Active control often enables the player to decide on the course of action to be taken to fight the circumstances which gives them an uneven control and pseudo confidence that may urge them to enact similarly in a real situation. Moreover, the points gained during shooting or killing tends to glorify the violence depicted in games. The addiction to video games often leads to fits of anger and rows between the children and parents. The first rehabilitation centre for teenagers addicted to video games has been set up in London following the urge of parents (Taylor, 2010, p9). Parents have expressed concerns on the influence on video games on the psychological and social behaviour of children (Gunter, 1998, p35). Most video games have parental control through which the type, intensity and mode of play can be controlled by parents. But recent research has shown that only one-fifth of the parents are exercising their control over purchase of video games, with 55% of stores educating them on ratings (Walsh et al. 2003). Lee et al. (2009, p562) have put forward that the technological aspect has an influence on violent psychological behaviour in a way that a game played using less sophisticated graphics and audio do less harm. But here also, time is the deciding factor as continuous exposure to the virtual world even in low resolution graphics can cause psychological imbalance and health problems. Even though clear correlation between violent shooting attacks by teenagers and interactive gaming has not been established in all cases, the increase in vocal abuse and insensitiveness towards crime itself are appalling. American Health Associations research has given results stating that time spend by teenagers belonging to lower socio-economic status playing games was almost five fold than those of their educated and rich counterparts (ScienceDaily, 2008). This shows that education, and not money is the judging factor for use of technology. Conclusion

Mass Communication Essay

According to historical evidence, oral exchange of news was the common method of communication in ancient India, whereas the modern medium of communication system was originated since the end of the eighteenth century. The present inquiry deals with variety of sub topics when analyzing Indian mass media. The coverage, popularity, diversification, westernization, commercialization, technology, entertainment, education, politics, sex, violence, women and children, are some of such topics which are deeply and sociologically analyzed in the study. The print media, Radio, TV, and Films are taken into account as comprised of Indian mass media throughout the study. Having understood that the nature of mass media is determined by social conditions, a Herculean attempt is made to understand Indian mass media as a manifestation of social implications in association with the society of India. According to study, Indian mass media is a symbol as well as a reflection of India society, which is extremely heterogeneous, diverse, and most importantly, a place of wide range of opinions. These criteria are relative, since the earliest forms of mass media (the printed book or pamphlet) were limited to the minority of a society that happened to be ijc-journal@hotmail. com 20 literate and relatively close to the place of publication. There has been a continuous line of development of technologies since the earliest forms of media (rock paintings) to the latest digital forms that have expanded the capacity, speed and efficiency of transmission (McQuail, 2000). Meanwhile, as Block (1979) argues, mass media refers to methods of message transmission over space and time. Media involves a communication process by which messages are sent through space; both the ijcjournal@gmail. com Tilak Wijesundara International Journal of Communicology 2011;1(1) channels have come into existence and have been attracted by millions of listeners. Moreover, in India, Television made a humble debut when Doordarshan (DD) was initiated in 1959. Today, Television service is available throughout the country, directly as terrestrial TV and through cable operators, as satellite TV. When taking Films into consideration, India? s first Film was screened in 1896. Today, Indian Film industry which is widely known as â€Å"Bolliwood† is the largest Film industry in the world, producing over 800 Films annually. The present inquiry deals with variety of sub topics when analyzing Indian mass media. The coverage, popularity, diversification, westernization, commercialization, technology, entertainment, education, politics, sex, violence, women and children, are some of such topics which are deeply and sociologically analyzed in this regard. The print media, Radio, TV, and Films are taken into account as comprised of Indian mass media throughout the study. Having understood that the nature of mass media is determined by social conditions, a Himalayan attempt is made to understand Indian mass media as a manifestation of social implications prevalent in association with the society of India. It is due to this reason that a Sociological analysis is applied throughout the study as it bringsthe hidden realities of Indian society in general and its mass media in particular. Popularity Although it is evident that the overall popularity of mass media has been increasing, it is notable that this popularity varies in different media. In colonial India, print media had acquired an immense popularity among people as the vehicle of 21 sender and receiver devote time within that process (Hornic, Schlinger, 1981). So, in generally, as McQuail (2000) points out, it is not incorrect to denote the idea that the term „mass media? is shorthand to describe means of communication that operate on a large scale, reaching and involving virtually everyone in a society to a greater or lesser degree. It refers to a number of media that are now longestablished and familiar, such as newspapers, magazines, film, radio, television and the phonograph (recorded music). As historical factors indicate, oral exchange of news was the common method of communication in ancient India. As Malhan (1992) illustrates, religions and religious places (places of worship) employed every available medium of communication in that period. In addition, bathing places, tanks, riverbanks, sea shores, chopals also acted as forms of communication. It is also evident that educational institutions equally played a significant role in activating the process of communication in India in the past. The modern medium of communication system is seen to be originated in the land of India since the end of the eighteenth century. The print media came into existence at the end of the eighteenth century symbolizing the first modern medium of communication and information. Indian press today is one of the largest in the world with more than 30,000 Newspapers published with an annual circulation that exceeds 55 million copies. Meanwhile, it is true to state that India was among one of the earliest countries to adopt broadcasting. The cable subscriber base has increased from around 0. 05 million in the early 90s? to around 24 million by 1999-2000. Today, it is possible to view over 75 channels over satellite cable Television. In any case, as many studies do suggest, the prevalence of audio-visual media has not crippled the popularity of films. As Malhan (1992) suggests, even though TV and Video provide most of the ingredients within the home with all the comforts, people still prefer to see pictures on wider screens in crowded halls. In fact, Films provide the most direct communication to the mind and images do not need to be translated to be understood. It cuts language barriers and can be enjoyed by both the educated and the fool alike. The songs and dances in Films are immensely popular among masses and popular Film stars live in the hearts of common people for generations. What is interesting to see is that Western audiences are becoming more interested in Indian Films, which has made Indian Films a global phenomenon. Diversification The diversification has been a notable feature in Indian mass media. This symbolizes the diversity of India? s people. In 2001, India had 45,974 newspapers 22 independent movement and the voice of the people. Nevertheless, it is evident that this popularity shifted to Radio and TV with their emergence as audio-visual media, and this shift is significant after independence. Simultaneously, newspapers made a detachment of the general public. It is true that newspapers today have become a class medium. According to the present estimates, newspapers are purchased and read by less than 20% of India? s total population. Meanwhile, the broadcasting media have the capacity to reach out to the people in every four corners of the country. By indicating the popularity of Indian Radio, Malhan (1992) illustrates, â€Å"as a comparatively low cost spoken word medium, it has become a constant companion for farmers, workers, travelers, sports lovers and for all those who are interested in news, music, drama, quiz programs, farm bulletins, or views of eminent persons on public affairs. Because of its low cost and easy availability, it has been a common man? s paradise, and for people, a symbol of social respectability as well. However, it is incorrect to mention that the existence of print media has been totally paralyzed today, rather, evidence indicate that particularly the book publishing industry has been growing at an exceedingly higher level, with around 10,000 publishers and around 40,000 new titles every year. The domestic publishing market is in fact one of largest in the world today. Since its beginning, Television has acquired an immense popularity as the key media in the world. According to one idea, it is clear that Television is central to the processes of media saturation. Indeed, Television is central to modern society altogether (Abercrombie, 1997). The popularity of Television symbolizes the increase of ijc-journal@hotmail. com ijcjournal@gmail. com Tilak Wijesundara International Journal of Communicology 2011;1(1) large country where many languages are spoken. Each of the larger languages supports its own Film industry: Urdu/Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. Accordingly, the Indian film industry is placed in diverse regions as follows; ? ? ? ? ? ? ? The Hindi/Urdu film industry, based on Mumbai is called „Bollywood The Marathi film industry, based on Mumbai and Pune The Tamil film industry, based on Chennai, Tamilnadu The Bengali film industry, based on Kolkata, West Begall The kannada film industry, based on the state of Karnataka The Telugu film industry, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh based on including 5364 daily newspapers published in over 100 languages. The largest number of newspapers were published in Hindi (20,589), followed by English (7,596), Marathi (2,943), Urdu (2,906), Bengali (2,741), Gujarati (2,215), Tamil (2,119), Kannada (1,816), Malayalam (1,505), and Telugu (1,289). The diversification is also apparent in Indian Broadcasting media. For instance, All India Radio? s (AIR) programs have been diversified over the years. Today, its home service programs are transmitted for 3. 91 hours every year. In addition, there are also external service transmissions which present programs in 17 foreign languages and 8 Indian languages for over 56 hours daily. AIR broadcasts programs for special audiences and occasions. Specific programs are relayed for the armed forces, women and children, youth students, industrial workers, and rural and tribal people. Fourteen stations broadcast daily programs twice a week in regional languages for women with the objective of providing entertainment and imparting information on household topics. Programs on family welfare, a very important information sector for the welfare of the women are planned and produced by 36 family welfare units at various broadcasting networks. These programs are integrated with the general programs as well as those meant for special audiences like rural, folk, women, youth, and industrial workers (Malhan,1992). Indian Television has achieved an immense success in reaching wide range of viewers. The prevalence of over 75 channels itself indicates its veracity. Doordarshan (DD) alone offers diverse national, regional, and local service for Indian Television viewers. The diversification is immensely visible in association with Indian Films. India is a ijc-journal@hotmail. com The Malayalam film industry, based on the state of Kerala What all these factors suggest is that Indian mass media are highly diversified in order to access multitude of people. Commercialization/ Westernization In the present scenario, it has been often put forward the fact that Indian mass media are enormously subject to commercialization and Westernization. This is particularly true with regard to Television and Cinema. As D? Souza (1998) indicates, contemporary film making is a big financing venture more than ever before. It is usually controlled by commercial consideration rather than the demand o the art. Films make no demands on the power of thinking, rather, ignore it for the sake of commerce. This argument is supported by Malhan (1992) when he denotes the fact that the Cinema after independence is predominately commercial so far as feature films are concerned. 23 ijcjournal@gmail. com Tilak Wijesundara International Journal of Communicology 2011;1(1) advertisements or advertorials is disguised as news. Whatever it is, it can be assumed that the process of commercialization and westernization have been in a tremendous enhancement after 1990s than ever before, with the introduction of liberalization and privatization policies. Technology It is crystal clear that all the mainstream mass media in India are under the impact of high technological appliances. As Malhan (1992) indicates, the advanced technologies such as adaptation of satellite communication and broadcasting, electronic printing, electronic and digital technology, extensive use of Tele-communication, internet and computer machinery are enormously benefited by the print media today. Television and Radio too has no exception in this direction. Moreover, Indian Cinema is in extreme use of new and effective technology in the process of Film making, recording and screening. However, as D? Souza (1998) points out, even though India has been using an increasing level of technology, very powerful political and economic forces have gained control over technology in general and communication system in particular. This has obstructed the communication flow from and to the grass root level. What is indeed true is that Indian mass media today are in the hands of few business houses and companies. As Sahay et al (2006) remarks, the most visible change is the growing influence of commercial departments in the media companies in India.

Night Journeys Essay

Night Journeys by Avi is a story, set in 1768, of a teenage orphan named Peter York who lives with Everett Shinn and his family in Pennsylvania. Mr. Shinn is the leader of the Quaker Community and the local Justice of the Peace. Peter, who has been promised by the Shinn family to be treated well in exchange for his horse, Jumper, and hard work on their farm, is presented with what he refers to as a great crisis. The details of this crisis are revealed as Peter becomes deeply involved in a manhunt for two escaped bondsmen, better known as indentured servants. Although only 12 years old, Peter volunteers to participate in the search for the escaped servants and finds himself facing physical perils as he and Mr. Shinn become separated during the search. Peter inadvertently finds one of the escapees, who just happens to be an 11 year old girl. After Peter shoots the girl, rather by accident, he finds himself torn between his moral obligation to abide by the law and return with the girl, which would yield a reward and allow Mr.  Shinn to purchase a new horse and return Jumper, and following his conscience, which tells him to provide food and help the girl escape. After making a rushed promised to help the girl escape to freedom, Peter learns that the second servant has been found and is being held prisoner at the Shinn family farm. Peter has already promised one of the servants that he would help, so how, he wonders, can he turn his back on her accomplice. Is it right to help two convicted felons escape, when doing so will incriminate him and bring shame to the Shinn family, or should he turn in the girl and have both of these servants be returned to their â€Å"Master†? Peter takes action and decides to help both prisoners escape to freedom after much reflection and a realization that he too is imprisoned to the Shinn family, albeit in a less obvious manner than the two bondsmen. As the story comes to a close, Mr.  Shinn knowingly helps as Peter escapes with the servants to freedom. And as with any great story, there is a pleasant twist at the end where Peter returns to the farm, having given Jumper to the servants, and Mr. Shinn acknowledges that Peter, the 12 year old child, has done what he, the elder moral leader of the community, was not able to do. A bond between the two is firmly established and Peter returns to the Shinn farm, not as a prisoner, but as a member of the family. Night Journeys can serve as a great read aloud for an upper elementary class that is studying character education. With a relatively simply plot, and easily identifiable moral knowing and feeling conflicts, this book can be used to demonstrate how Peter, a likeable 12 year old, acts in a way that exemplifies his morals, showcases his personal values and otherwise focuses on character education. Teaching points related to various aspects of character education are easily created to align with the use of this book as a class read aloud.

Autumn on the Seine, Argenteuil by Claude Monet Essay

Autumn on the Seine, Argenteuil The following is an analysis and an interpretation of Autumn on the Seine, Argenteuil. This oil on canvas painting can be found in the High Museum of Art. Claude Monet, the artist of this piece painted this in 1873, right as the Impressionism Movement was beginning. Monet played the important role of one of the founders of the Impressionism Movement with his works like Autumn on the Seine, Argenteuil. Autumn on the Seine, Argenteuil is from a series of paintings that Monet did while in Argenteuil. In the artwork Autumn on the Seine, Argenteuil, the lighting used throughout the painting, brushstroke techniques, perspective, and color all play an important role in the piece, as well as in the Impressionism†¦show more content†¦At close inspection, the colors red, white, yellow and blue placed side by side looked unintelligible as they are placed throughout the trees on the left side of the painting. At a distance, however, the colors begin to m ix into different variations of orange, green, yellow, white, blue, and red, making the palette more interesting. This technique is used on the entire painting. The water’s reflection of the trees uses the same technique. Like in Claude Monet’s first major Impressionism painting, Impression: Sunrise (Garnier, 823), the painting Autumn on the Seine, Argenteuil also uses the brushy strokes. Both use a body of water’s reflection in the piece, making the water itself more interesting, and giving Autumn on the Seine, Argenteuil perspective. The technique most artists use to project an illusion of the three-dimensional world onto a two-dimensional surface is called perspective. Objects are painted smaller the farther away from the audience is supposed to be, and are painted bigger the closer the audience is supposed to be. A vanishing point is helpful in creating perspective. This technique helps to make up a sense of depth in a piece of art. In Autumn on the Seine, Argenteuil, perspective is created by the body of water that is in the foreground of painting. This body of water is going off into the distance in which you cannot see it’s end. In the background, there are