Last updated on: 5/4/2017 | Author: ProCon.org

Sandra L. Calvert, PhD Biography

Title:
Professor of Psychology and Director of the Children's Digital Media Center at Georgetown University
Position:
Pro to the question "Do Violent Video Games Contribute to Youth Violence?"
Reasoning:

“Consistent with the literature that we reviewed, we found that violent video game exposure was associated with: an increased composite aggression score; increased aggressive behavior; increased aggressive cognitions; increased aggressive affect, increased desensitization, and decreased empathy; and increased physiological arousal. The size of the effects was similar to that in prior meta-analyses, suggesting a stable result.”

“The American Psychological Association Task Force Assessment of Violent Video Games: Science in the Service of Public Interest,” American Psychologist, Feb-Mar. 2017
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:
Experts
Individuals with PhDs, MDs, or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to violence and video games. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to media violence and related issues.
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • Director, Children’s Digital Media Center, Georgetown University, 2002-present
  • Professor, Psychology, Georgetown University, 1999-present
  • Fellow, American Pyschological Association, 1998-present
  • Member, Society for Research in Child Development, 1981-present
  • Member, Advisory Committee for the National Science Foundation, 2013
  • Member, Advisory Board, Ready to Learn Grant, Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, 2006-2009
  • Member, Advisory Board for the Center on Media and Child Health, Harvard University, 2006
  • Associate Professor of Psychology, Georgetown University, 1992-1999
  • Assistant Professor of Psychology, Georgetown University, 1987-1992
  • Assistant Professor of Child Development and Family Relations, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 1982-1987
  • Predoctoral Trainee, Graduate Research Assistant, and Visiting Scholar, Center for Research on the Influences of Television on Children, University of Kansas, 1977-1983
    • Education:
  • PhD, Developmental and Child Psychology, University of Kansas, 1982
  • MS, Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, 1977
  • BA, Psychology, magna cum laude, West Virginia University, 1974
    • Other:
  • Recipient of the 2005 Outstanding Applied/Public Policy Research Program Award from the International Communication Association
  • Advisor in the creation of the Children and Media Research Advancement Act (CAMRRA), Senator Joe Lieberman’s office, 2003-2009
    • Quoted in:
    Pro & Con Quotes: Do Violent Video Games Contribute to Youth Violence?