Effects of Playing versus Observing Violent versus Nonviolent Video Games on Children's Aggression.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the short-term effects of playing or observing violent vs. nonviolent video games on children's aggression. DESIGN: Experimental Study. Children completed picture-frustration study, with responses independently and blindly scored by second and third authors of study. Rating scores were averaged. Children either played or observed two violent or two nonviolent video games, and completed a help/hurt apparatus. Subjects and Setting: N=146 second through sixth graders from a university-affiliated school in central Illinois, mostly middle class participants. Intervention(s): Children played or observed violent or nonviolent video games for 14 minutes and then completed aggression measures. Outcome Measure(s): Rosenzweig Picture-Frustration Study, aggression and type of aggression, personality measure, post-experiment questionnaire. RESULTS: Study found no significant short-term differences in aggressive behavior after exposure or playing of violent vs. nonviolent video games. For violent video game condition, number of hurt responses M=9.1, SD= 3.7 while for nonviolent video games M=10, SD= 4.1. Number of help responses for violent video games M=10.9, SD=3.7, and for nonviolent video games M=10.0, SD= 4.1. Male participants hurt the other (fictional) child more than female participants, and were more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior, were more defensive when frustrated, were less likely to persistently attempt to get their needs met, and showed less self-blaming than female participants. CONCLUSIONS: Suggest that results may have been impacted due to presence of a peer during the video game playing and that as opposed to realistic television violence, the less realistic video game graphics may have resulted in differences between the effects of television viewing and video game playing. Recommend further research utilizing a longer study period. © Center on Media and Child Health Keywords: Aggression Altruism Child Attitudes Children Elementary School Students Gender Differences Hostility Passive Exposure Psychology Short Term Effects Video Games Violence (Media Content) Language: en

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