This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by FUNK, J. B. Articles by GERMANN, J. N. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Rating Electronic Games

Violence is in the Eye of the Beholder

The University of Toledo

GEYSA FLORES

The University of Toledo

DEBRA D. BUCHMAN

The Medical College of Ohio

JULIE N. GERMANN

The University of Toledo

Commercial ratings assist parents in monitoring their children's media experiences. Exposure to media violence may affect attitudes and behavior, and rating systems should accurately reflect the presence of violent content. Validity indicators for commercial rating systems are examined, including consistency with consumer perceptions. Violent electronic games are a contemporary media phenomenon. A comparison of commercial ratings for popular electronic games with consumer perceptions of game content indicates that, for games with obviously nonviolent or very violent content, there is agreement between consumers and the commercial system. However, there is considerable disagreement about notable violent content in games with cartoon-type violence. Recommendations include incorporating consumer perceptions into a comprehensive, content-based, informational rating system for all entertainment media.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?