Study: Video Games Can Cause Body Self-Esteem Issues
See Full ImageYou know how the feminists are the first to complain about how women are often depicted in video games? You know, the top-heavy chicks with the DD bustline and size 4 waistline? Well, on the flip side of that coin, when was the last time you played as a bald male hero with a beer gut?
Apparently, this stigma of the classic video game hero can have an adverse affect on the self-esteem of gamers, who - we have to admit - typically have a lower-than-normal self-esteem to start with. According to a recent study conducted by Kansas State University Psychology professor Richard Harris, those who play games and are constantly in the "virtual presence" of both men and women who look impossibly good can suffer a psychological setback. (source- EndSights) In fact, someone can start thinking less of themselves after viewing the more attractive male or female on the screen for only 15 minutes. "It was kind of sobering that it did have such a short-term effect," said Harris. To conduct his research, Harris first surveyed his students, then split them up and had the males play a wrestling video game while the girls played a beach volleyball video game (gee, I wonder which one?). After 15 minutes, he then had the students complete another survey, and on the whole, it turns out that everyone viewed their bodies in a more negative light after the testing.
Now, Harris did say other factors may contribute to a lower body image, and he wasn't about to conclude that playing video games causes everyone to think badly about themselves. But it's an intriguing test, nonetheless, even though there doesn't appear to be a solution...who wants to put themselves in the fantasy shoes of an unattractive or unappealing individual? Right?
12/26/2008 John Shepard
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Comments
BikerSaint
Friday, December 26, 2008 @ 10:45:50 PM
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Not I've ever seen a hardcore motorcycle club game either(& I surely can't call Activision's PC game, H-D "Race to the Rally" any kind of MC club game, LOL)
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LightShow
Friday, December 26, 2008 @ 10:54:09 PM
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take THAT, worthless, grant-money-sucking, tax-dollar-wasting research "scientists"
^_^
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Buckeyestar
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 8:33:30 AM
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huskerfan_101
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 1:04:49 PM
This is a horrible blow to my self esteem.
jk
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WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, December 26, 2008 @ 11:00:04 PM
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Qubex
Friday, December 26, 2008 @ 11:26:44 PM
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Q!
"i aM hOMe"
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Jed
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 12:16:34 AM
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Scarecrow
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 12:25:58 AM
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But one can always admire him for looking/being so badass lol.
There are weak-minded people in this world, that's just a fact of life.
I accept being the way I am, of course having a body which doesn't look FAT should be a priority for most people under 35 imo.
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ZubraZap
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 2:47:10 AM
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www
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 5:58:03 AM
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can't u scientists just allow us to live our lives.
U smoke......lung-heart disease,
U drink......sumthin-sumthin disease,
U eat sugar....diabetes
U sit.........u get fat or old
U bend down.......spinal issues
U yawn.....u sleep
U look....u lust
wat? wat? wat? wat? we're fed up,u think Moses and them lived long lives by listening to all these,they just lived there lives.
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ThePoetRazel
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 7:01:53 AM
And who are this "we" you are talking about? I personally love scientific research. without it we wouldn't have computers or the internet or this wonderful site. Or electricity, running hot water, cars, international travel, medicines, extended life spans......i think i've made my point.
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Aftab
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 9:08:58 AM
That's cuz it's outside the realm of "science". That has to do with history, my pseudo-intellectual friend.
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Aftab
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 1:09:30 PM
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ThePoetRazel
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 6:58:48 AM
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Glad to see these researchers don't take anecdotal evidence as fact, or lean towards reductionist theories.
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Xanavi23
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 8:20:14 AM
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Zaben
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 8:39:32 AM
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Zorigo
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 9:28:49 AM
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JPBooch
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 9:49:03 AM
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Phoelix
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 11:42:06 AM
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This study is just one step in the direction of study of self-esteem. It's not (hopefully) intended to attack video games. They'll probably do studies about movies and other media, like you guys mentioned. We should probably have lower self-esteem by going to a gym and seeing ripped dudes lift twice our body weight.
It's misguided application of the results of the study that cause problems--like, have you guys seen the new "got milk" posters? They each say that studies suggest that kids who drink milk tend to be thinner. Note the "suggest" and "tend" that pretty much means they have no evidence. Watch for this.
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Sir Shak
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 12:49:32 PM
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sackboy just raised the bar for physical fitness and agility , might aswell give up on girls before being humiliated further .
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orangpelupa
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 7:57:13 PM
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I almost never use mirror to neat my hair. . .
i see myself when i go to barbershop to cut hair .
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WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, December 27, 2008 @ 10:23:27 PM
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Wage SLAVES
Sunday, December 28, 2008 @ 6:01:10 AM
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The only time I kinda felt small was when I saw Troy and I realized I'll never be like "Achilles" not even a Myrmidon :'(
The steroid junkies like Arnold should look up to us 'cuz we don't have small pee pee's! : P
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shaydey77
Sunday, December 28, 2008 @ 8:24:54 AM
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As for looks people should realize that these are COMPUTER games with COMPUTER IMAGES!
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Deleted User
Sunday, December 28, 2008 @ 3:01:40 PM
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I dont feel sorry for em. If they weigh as much as a house just work out.
I always get my exercise. Theres no reason you cant play games and be active also.
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Shatterday
Monday, December 29, 2008 @ 10:26:40 AM
josh is fat.
sincerely, shatter
ps. JK
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Deleted User
Monday, December 29, 2008 @ 11:59:39 AM
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Military dont take fat cats.
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Ultimadream
Wednesday, December 31, 2008 @ 11:54:33 AM
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Last edited by Ultimadream on 12/31/2008 11:54:55 AM
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TGG
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Friday, December 26, 2008 @ 10:09:38 PM