Effects of Media with Violent Content on College Students’ Aggressive Reaction

Abstract

The effect of media violence on aggression levels was explored and related to increases in aggression levels based on personality traits. In this study, 78 undergraduate students were divided into a control group (violent video) and an experimental group (non-violent video) using a 2×2 factorial design (two video clips, two aggression inventories). The participants completed a pre-test Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire and the Mini-IPIP prior to being exposed to one of the two video clips. Afterwards the video exposure, the participants completed a post-test Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Analysis of the participants' data (n = 78), showed verbal aggression and conscientiousness approached significance, F(1, 77) = 3.750, p < 0.057, as did verbal aggression and agreeableness, F(1,77) = 3.796, p < 0.055. A significant difference was found in anger with neuroticism, F(1,77) = 7.577, p < 0.008. Overall anger and aggression levels pre-and post-exposure were closely related, indicating that some were already angry and aggressive t(77) = 2.3769, p < 0.020. Furthermore, control and the experimental groups only approximated significance in physical aggression F(1,77) = 3.832, p < 0.054. Contrary to previous studies, exposure to violence did not increase aggressive behavior as hypothesized; however, these findings showed that violence in media had an effect on the factor of anger and a difference between both groups in physical aggression.In addition, exposure to violence had an effect on specific personality traits of participants, such as agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism.