One of the most subtle tools of media is catharsis, an indirect means by which people may act out, indulge in, or fantasize about what underlying desires may be permeating about within their minds. Whether or not this form of supplementary indulgence is a just practice within society is still a matter of debate; however, the effects are, especially within the youth of society, unquestionable.
Catharsis itself, the release of emotion toward an acceptable outlet, is an act that has been present for years since the time of Aristotle; however, it is the recent induction of violent and questionable media that has subjected the matter to intense deliberation. With the release of Grand Theft Auto and other violent video games, children and teens, the most affected demographic, are living out simulated environments filled with crime, sex and violence. There are claims that this kind of over exposer to simulated malicious material serves as a catalyst toward actual violent acts as described by this article on babble.com.
While some view the overexposure to violent video games as a direct means toward the increase of actual violent behavior, there are some who explain, as defined by this article from techliberation.com, how “exposure to violently-themed media helps to gradually assimilate us into the realities of the world around us”.
It is still a major debate as to whether or not catharsis is justified as a release of emotions or whether it is the first step of an eventual crime to play out similar to the one portrayed by the video games, but as the these two articles show it is something that is dramatically affecting the population one way or the other and is a greatly viable portion of the media not to be overlooked.
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