1. Research Question:
Has the increase of crudely portrayed graphic violence in video games encouraged or rooted the inspiration of young murderers in major acts of school violence?
2. Thesis:
The increase of crudely portrayed graphic violence in video games has encouraged or rooted the inspiration of young murderers in major acts of school violence.
3. Introduction:
“Mission: Psycho Killer,” reads on the television screen to thousands of players of the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. To many, the power behind this mission title is minimal, if at all detectable; however, to the impressionable, vulnerable minds, of some this mission could have damaging effects on both the player and their community. Video games have evolved significantly since first presented to the world with games such as Pong and Mrs. PacMan. Gradually, they have become less innocent, yet grown in their potential threat, need for strict censorship and ratings, and influence over the minds of young children. The increase of crudely portrayed graphic violence in video games has encouraged or rooted the inspiration of young murderers in major acts of school violence.
4. Plan for sources:
With my sources, I will prove that the growth in graphic video game violence is correlated to school violence and therefore a prevalent influence to the impressionable and vulnerable minds of young children who play the video games. My sources will focus on the young murderers of major acts of school violence, focusing mainly on Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the constructors of Columbine, who associated their attacks with the video game Doom, and Cho Seung-Hui, the man behind the recent Virginia Tech shooting who had played the video game Halo to warm up for his attack. I will evaluate the subject’s influences, using FBI reports, articles, and primary sources the killers themselves left behind. I will also try to draw parallels between the young murderer’s behaviors and characteristics in an attempt to specify the type of personality to look for in a potential gunman. Drawing upon historical evidence, I will show that the increase in school violence and violent video games are correlated. Also, I will be drawing upon articles and books that both support and counter my thesis. The support will help me to further prove and strengthen my argument, where I will use the counter arguments to provide my counter arguments.
