A 2003 study by the American Psychological Society reported that violent video games increase the risk of youth displaying aggressive behavior, but psychologist John Broughton suggested they are an escape from reality for players despite their seemingly realistic graphics.  "Usually, violent people are people who have suffered physical and sexual abuse," Professor Broughton said. "This idea that violence comes from video games is untrue. You don't get a hostile, gun-toting 3-year-old from playing video games like that."

The article, entitled "Video Game Report Warns Parents," appeared in the November 27 edition of the Star-Telegram.

Published Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004