Thing is, I do not believe graphic violence in itself is the problem, but rather what the violence means and what it tries to solve. When violence is shown as "proper behavior" or even "cool", directed against fictive pro-society individuals (aka "innocent"), then we are giving wrong signals. Still, a child that had a good upbringing and have learnt proper behavior will be immune to those signals.
On top of that, a negative role model in it's own isn't enough to make an individual go postal. You also need to build up very strong emotions like hate, anxiousness, frustration, hate etc.
Very well written, because it quite fits to my own theory.
The "signal" that is perceived is evident not only in games, but also on the TV : Violence as a "cool" and neat way to solve problems.
But to be carried actually out, it must also be supported by other "signals" as well - role models are imho a very strong factor on that.
The most important point might be
what or who is ac tually perceived as strong role models by others. If someone fings a "gangsta" totally cool, then he or she will be willing to accept this person - including the specific behaviour - as a strong role model for him- or herself.
The point might even go further that this person might try to go into groups which *also* prefer this role model or even try to live it.
Now, the thing becomes even more complex if we consider humans / human groups as flocks: They copy
one another. Like a group of birds is flying meanwhile copying what the next bird does (I remember a scientific study saying that meanwhile flying in a group, birds actually look for what the birds to their sides do).
Meanwhile copying one another, this might result in quite a strong group-consciousness, which also might have strong borders (the group, I mean) towards the world outside the group.
We also know this kind of behaviour as "having false friends", perhaps.
This can only be blocked by other strong role models. For example by "ex-gangstas", who have been "turned" at free will, and now trying to give the message to younglings that "violence is not the answer".
I have seen similar campaigns directed against AIDS, for example, being supported by here well-known sportsmen, singers, etc. .