So, social psychologist Albert Bandura performed a couple of experiments in the 1960s, and he proposed that aggressive behaviour can be learnt. Basically, in experimental group he had kids watch an adult physically and verbally assault a Bobo doll. Kids in control group watched an adult play with other toys while the Bobo doll was left untouched. Then, kids from both groups played with some toys from a different room, until they were no longer allowed (this was done to build up frustration). Instead they were offered to play with toys in a room, where the Bobo doll and some other toys were. The results concluded that kids in experimental group showed more aggressive behaviour towards the Bobo doll. In a different experiment he also concluded that aggressive behaviour can be learnt trough cartoons or movies. [Here’s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobo_doll_experiment) a link to a more detailed explanation.
So my question is, how is it possible that there are apparently no newer and stronger links between violent games/movies and violent behaviour, especially since games/movies are getting more realistic?
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There is a difference between seeing something play out in real life, even if the object of violence is not a real living thing (people are disturbed by violence against robots), and fantasy. We *know* that video-games are not real, therefore it doesn’t inform our actions nearly as much. Having said that, there is a de-sensitization effect that goes on AND people begin to mistake what real violence is for what they see in the movies. Neither of those are good things. Real violence is gritty and harsh while televised violence is glorified. If you actually portrayed violence in a realistic manner people wouldn’t watch your movie or play your game. If you portrayed sex the way it actually happens people would be bored by sex scenes.
TLDR – most humans are good at recognizing what is real and what is not
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