>It feels odd to me that people can be so sure that games have no influence yet images of thin women in magazines has such a strong influence.
There is clearly an invitation to mimic the presented behaviour in both cases, however whether or not people follow up on this is another issue - mainly shaped by social norms. Being thin is socially acceptable and encouraged(whether or not it is a good thing is irrelevant). Killing people - isn't.
Also the action presented has to be related to the context it is presented in. An ad shows thin people in everyday life - so kids try to imitate by starving themselves in everyday life.
Wargames present murder in context of a military conflict - well since we are NOT in the middle of a military conflict, there is no point imitating.
There is clearly an invitation to mimic the presented behaviour in both cases, however whether or not people follow up on this is another issue - mainly shaped by social norms. Being thin is socially acceptable and encouraged(whether or not it is a good thing is irrelevant). Killing people - isn't.
Also the action presented has to be related to the context it is presented in. An ad shows thin people in everyday life - so kids try to imitate by starving themselves in everyday life. Wargames present murder in context of a military conflict - well since we are NOT in the middle of a military conflict, there is no point imitating.