According to Texas A&M chair and associate professor of psychology Dr. Christopher J. Ferguson, it seems genetics is a high contributing factor of criminal behavior.
“We basically find that genetics and some social issues combine to predict later adult arrests. Despite ongoing concerns about media influences, media exposure does not seem to function as a risk factor for adult criminality,” stated Ferguson.
“Genetics alone don’t seem to trigger criminal behavior, but in combination with harsh upbringing, you can see negative outcomes,” he went on to note. “In our sample, experiencing maternal warmth seemed to reduce the impact of genetics on adult criminality.
“People may object morally to some of the content that exists in the media, but the question is whether the media can predict criminal behavior. The answer seems to be no.”
However, until a new media “plagues” the nations of the world, videogames will remain a convenient scapegoat for the actions of mentally ill people.