Longer you play, the more hostile you feel: examination of first person shooter video games and aggression during video game play

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of video game play on aggression. Using the General Aggression Model, as applied to video games by Anderson and Bushman, [2002] this study measured physiological arousal, state hostility, and how aggressively participants would respond to three hypothetical scenarios. In addition, this study measured each of these variables multiple times to gauge how aggression would change with increased video game play. Results showed a significant increase from baseline in hostility and aggression (based on two of the three story stems), which is consistent with the General Aggression Model. This study adds to the existing literature on video games and aggression by showing that increased play of a violent first person shooter video game can significantly increase aggression from baseline.

Effects of realism on extended violent and nonviolent video game play on aggressive thoughts, feelings, and physiological arousal

“…Second, the amount of time between the State Hostility Scale administrations was 15 min, and it is unlikely that participants remembered their responses to all 35 items. Barlett et al [2007] found significant changes in hostility using a similar hostility measure and time frame between scale administrations. However, the results from the aggressive feelings analysis should be interpreted with a certain degree of caution owing to possible practice effects of completing the scale four times.…”

Video Game Use in Boys With Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, or Typical Development

“…First-person shooter games are fast-paced, audiovisually intense, and violent, and game play often results in increased physiologic arousal. 40,41 Given that individuals with ASD are at increased risk for anxiety 42 and sensory reactivity, 43,44 these types of games may be less appealing for many individuals with ASD.…”

Game type as a moderator of the relationship between pathological video game use, impulsivity, aggression, and general psychopathology

“…They found support for their hypothesis insofar that participants who played the FPS displayed higher levels of aggression. The authors referred to the General Aggression Model as a possible explanation, suggesting that engaging in violent video games increased aggressive thoughts, which in turn increased aggressive behaviors (Barlett, Harris, & Baldassaro, 2007;Bushman & Anderson, 2002).…”