Catharsis

The concept of catharsis aids me in understanding the appeal and effects of violent video games such as the Grand Theft Auto series and how it aids people in living out their inward desires that may not be socially acceptable in the real world.

The catharsis hypothesis states that sex, violence, and other unacceptable social actions shown in the media lead to a positive result. It argues that the media allows people to indirectly satisfy these desires by living them out in a non-real world. While other social theories state that the media contributes to violent and sexual actions in the real world, catharsis says that the media instead provides a means of purging emotion and desires unfit for real life in a fantasy setting such as a tv show, movie, or video game.

A good example of this theory is the video game series Grand Theft Auto. The central purpose of these games is to break the law and cause mayhem to your heart’s content. As a citizen of an imaginary city, you can steal cars, shoot at and destroy police vehicles and helicopters, engage in promiscuous activities with prostitutes, and a host of other illegal and a host of other destructive activities. According to the catharsis hypothesis, the havoc produced by players of these games allows them to release their emotion and fulfill their antisocial desires, and judging by the commercial success of the games, people obviously enjoy that prospect. 

Grand Theft Auto - San Andreas trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHzG0bKTa1g&NR=1