Study links games to drug abuse

GTA3 makes men mad...

In a bizarre study stateside, a team of academics have linked the playing of 'mature'-content videogames with increasing the appeal of alcohol and drugs, in the first research of its kind. One-hundred men aged between 18 and 21 participated in the study, which was conducted by the University of California and the University of Pittsburgh. In-game 'missions' were randomly assigned to the study subjects, either the delivering of homework in Simpsons: Hit and Run, or the violent beating of a drug dealer in GTA 3.

The research found that those playing GTA 3 demonstrated "more permissive attitudes toward using alcohol and marijuana, and more uncooperative behaviour in comparison with men randomly assigned to play The Simpsons." The study also noted that the men demonstrated higher blood pressure and aggression levels.

"Parents have been told the message that violent video games and violent media in general can influence the likelihood that their kids will be aggressive," Dr Sonya Brady of the University of California noted. "What this study suggests is that they might increase any type of risk-taking behaviour."

Source: Eurogamer.net

By Luke Guttridge