Effects of Reducing Children's Television and Video Game Use on Aggressive Behavior

Robinson, Thomas N.; Wilde, M. L.; Navracruz, L. C.; Haydel, K. Farish; Varady, Ann

doi:10.1001/archpedi.155.1.17

Cited by 187 publications

(127 citation statements)

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“…Other research (Rentfrow & Gosling, 2003) also revealed that people consider music an important aspect of their lives, which is at least as important as most other leisure activities. This has led to the suggestion that media exposure could be an important determinant of pro- (Mares & Woodard, 2005) and antisocial behavior (Robinson, Wilde, Navracruz, Haydel, & Varady, 2001). However, whereas negative effects of exposure to media with violent content on aggressive behavior are well-documented, research on the effects of media with prosocial content on prosocial tendencies has been relatively sparse.…”

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confidence: 99%

Effects of songs with prosocial lyrics on prosocial thoughts, affect, and behavior

Greitemeyer

2009

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

164

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"Previous research has shown that exposure to violent media increased aggression-related affect and thoughts, physiological arousal, and aggressive behavior as well as decreased prosocial tendencies. The present research examined the hypothesis that exposure to prosocial media promotes prosocial outcomes. Three studies revealed that listening to songs with prosocial (relative to neutral) lyrics increased the accessibility of prosocial thoughts, led to more interpersonal empathy, and fostered helping behavior. These results provide first evidence for the predictive validity of the General Learning Model [Buckley, K. E., & Anderson, C. A. (2006). A theoretical model of the effects and consequences of playing video games. In P. Vorderer, & J. Bryant, (Eds.), Playing video games: Motives responses and consequences (pp. 363–378). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates] for the effects of media with prosocial content on prosocial thought, feeling, and behavior." [author's abstract

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confidence: 99%

Effects of songs with prosocial lyrics on prosocial thoughts, affect, and behavior

Greitemeyer

2009

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

164

180

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“…This growing interest in playing video games has raised concerns about the consequences of video game play. In fact, playing video games with violent content may lead to criminal actions (Anderson & Dill, 2000) and physical violence (Gentile et al, 2004), whereas reducing children's exposure to media violence reduces aggressive tendencies (Robinson, Wilde, Navracruz, Haydel, & Varady, 2001). Thus, there is clear evidence that media exposure can be harmful to social relations.…”

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confidence: 99%

Prosocial video games reduce aggressive cognitions

Greitemeyer

Oßwald

2009

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

127

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ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPTProsocial video games and aggressive cognitions 2 AbstractPrevious research has shown that playing violent video games increased aggressive tendencies. However, as pointed out by the General Learning Model (GLM) (Buckley & Anderson, 2006), depending on their content, video games do not inevitably increase but may also decrease aggressive responses. Accordingly, the present research tested the hypothesis that playing prosocial video games decreases aggressive cognitions. In fact, playing a prosocial (relative to a neutral) video game reduced the hostile expectation bias (Experiment 1) and decreased the accessibility of antisocial thoughts (Experiment 2). Thus, these results lend credence to GLMs assumption that the effects of video game exposure depend to a great extent on the content of the game played.Key Words: video games; aggression; media effects ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPTProsocial video games and aggressive cognitions 3 Prosocial video games reduce aggressive cognitionsPlaying video games is becoming more and more popular. According to recent largescale surveys, 70% of homes with children aged 2 to 17 have computers and 68% have video game equipment (Woodard & Gridina, 2000). Whereas children aged 2 to 7 spend an average of 3 to 5 hours a week playing video games (Gentile & Walsh, 2002), 8th and 9th grade students even average 9 hours per week (Gentile, Lynch, Linder, & Walsh, 2004). Overall, 87% of children play video games regularly (Walsh, Gentile, Gieske, Walsh, & Chasco, 2003). Not only children, but also young and middle-aged adults spend a considerable amount of their time playing video games. According to a recent estimate (Gentile & Anderson, 2006), the average age of a video game player is 29. This growing interest in playing video games has raised concerns about the consequences of video game play. In fact, playing video games with violent content may lead to criminal actions (Anderson & Dill, 2000) and physical violence (Gentile et al., 2004), whereas reducing children's exposure to media violence reduces aggressive tendencies (Robinson, Wilde, Navracruz, Haydel, & Varady, 2001). Thus, there is clear evidence that media exposure can be harmful to social relations.But can it be also beneficial? Does video game play not only increase, but may also decrease aggressive tendencies? In the present research, we test the hypothesis that playing prosocial (relative to neutral) video games reduces aggressive cognitions. Effects of Media Exposure on Anti-and Prosocial TendenciesWhen accounting for the effects of exposure to violent media on anti-and prosocial tendencies researchers have predominantly referred to the General Aggression Model (GAM)proposed by Anderson and colleagues (e.g., . According to this model, the aggressive content of violent media evokes aggressive behavior through at least one of three routes: aggressive cognitions, arousal, and affect related to violence. When these variables are activated they affect the processing of new information, which in turn ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT...

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“…48 In addition, studies have shown adequate correlation between the results of parent reports of child behavior and independent observations. 49,50 Finally, the study was conducted in a single geographic area and may not be generalizable to other parts of the country.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of a Primary Care-Based Intervention on Violent Behavior and Injury in Children

et al. 2004

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ABSTRACT. Objective. Although many major health care organizations have made recommendations regarding physicians' roles in preventing youth violence, the efficacy of violence prevention strategies in primary care settings remains to be empirically tested.Methods. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the effects of an office-based intervention on children's violent behaviors and violence-related injuries. Children 7 to 15 years of age who presented at 8 pediatric practices and scored positive on a brief psychosocial screening test (n ‫؍‬ 224) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (clinicians saw the screening test results during the visit and a telephone-based parenting education program was made available to clinicians as a referral resource for parents) or a control group (clinicians did not see the screening test results).Results. Compared with control subjects, at 9 months after study enrollment, children in the intervention group exhibited decreases in aggressive behavior (adjusted mean difference: ؊1. V iolence is one of the leading causes of death among adolescents in the United States and around the world. In America, young people are disproportionately represented among both victims and perpetrators of violence. Homicide is the fifth leading cause of death for youths 10 to 14 years of age and the second leading cause of death for youths 15 to 19 years of age. 1 In 2001, there were 2088 homicides among youths 10 to 19 years of age in this country. 2 Nonfatal injuries resulting from violence are also a critical dimension of the public health problem. Nonfatal interpersonal violence often precedes fatal violence among youths 3 and results in disabilities and high costs of medical care and rehabilitation. National estimates based on emergency department visits indicated that, in 2002, there were 438 391 assault-related nonfatal injuries among youths 10 to 19 years of age. 4 Risk factors associated with violent behavior and injuries among youths include exposure to violence as a witness or direct victim, childhood aggression and antisocial behavior, substance use, depressed mood, and hyperactivity. [5][6][7][8] Protective factors include high academic achievement and parent-family connectedness. 5,8 In addition to supportive parentchild relationships, positive and consistent discipline and parental monitoring and supervision are critical family-level protective factors in promoting resistance to involvement in violence among youths. 7,9 Recommendations defining the role of clinicians in youth violence prevention and management have been issued by a number of groups, including the American Medical Association, 10 American Academy of Pediatrics, 11 American Academy of Family Physicians, 12 American College of Physicians, 13 Society for Adolescent Medicine, 14 and US Public Health Service. 15 Recommendations include incorporating preventive education, risk screening, and linkages to necessary intervention and follow-up services into clinical practice. However, few residents and prac...

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Effects of Reducing Children's Television and Video Game Use on Aggressive Behavior

Abstract: An intervention to reduce television, videotape, and video game use decreases aggressive behavior in elementary schoolchildren. These findings support the causal influences of these media on aggression and the potential benefits of reducing children's media use.

Cited by 187 publications

References 25 publications

Effects of songs with prosocial lyrics on prosocial thoughts, affect, and behavior

Effects of songs with prosocial lyrics on prosocial thoughts, affect, and behavior

Prosocial video games reduce aggressive cognitions

Effects of a Primary Care-Based Intervention on Violent Behavior and Injury in Children

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