Video Games and Aggression

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Video Games and Aggression

• Chris Quance
• Bryan Hayes

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(No Transcript)
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General Outline

• Why Study Video Games?
• Research Questions
• A Predictive Model
• Method
• Results
• Discussion

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Why Study Video Games?

• According to the Entertainment Software
  Association
• In 2004, more than 248 million computer and video
  games were sold, almost two games for every
  household in America.
• Three of the record twelve games selling more
  than 1 million units were rated M for Mature.
• The top two best selling games in 2004 by units
  sold were rated M for Mature.

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Why Study Video Games?

• Children under 18 comprise 35 of all game
  players.
• 63 of parents believe video games are a positive
  part of their children's life
• Since 1996 Video game sale have increased by 150

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Why Study Video Games?
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Research Questions

• Do Violent Video Games Increase Aggression?
• If So, Does Aggression Dissipate with Time?

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A Predictive Model

Aggression
Aggression
Violent Video Games
Aggression
Aggression
Aggression
Aggression
Time
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Method

• Participants
• Students attending Campbell University
• N58
• Males36 Female22
• 4 groups
• Sauls Hall Dorm (HALO Tournament) (two groups)
• Intramural Department (John Madden 2007)
• Dr. Asbury Class (No Game)

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Method

• Instrument
• Word Completion task
• Designed by Craig A. Anderson
• 98 Incomplete words
• Three Minutes to Answer as many as Possible
• XBOX Video Game Console
• HALO 2 Tournament (Violent Game)
• John Madden 2007 Tournament (Neutral Game)

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Procedure

• HALO 2 Tournament (Violent Game)
• Posted fliers around Campbell University
• Held Tourney at Sauls
• Groups of eight played head-to-head
• As participants concluded play, they were asked
  to take Word-Completion Test
• 3 min. Word Completion
• Followed up next day

• John Madden 2007 (Neutral Game)
• Tournament sponsored by Intramural Dept.
• Held in Natatorium
• Groups of two played head-to-head
• As participants concluded play, they were asked
  to take Word-Completion Test.
• 3 min. Word Completion

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Procedure

• Control Group
• Psychology students at Campbell U.
• Administered Word-Completion test
• Given 3 min. to complete

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Results
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Results
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Discussion

• Aggression in Immediate group not significantly
  different than control group
• Was significant difference between Next Day group
  and Neutral Game group.

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Discussion

• The primary limitation of this study was the
  number of subjects.
• Control issues