Video Games and Aggression

Chris QuanceBryan Hayes

General Outline

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

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.

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%

35

43

19

Under 18 18-49 50+

Why Study Video Games?

Research Questions

1) Do Violent Video Games Increase Aggression?

2) If So, Does Aggression Dissipate with Time?

A Predictive Model

Time

Aggression

Violent Video Games

Aggression Aggression

AggressionAggressionAggression

Method Participants

Students attending Campbell University N=58 Males=36 Female=22 4 groups

Sauls Hall Dorm (HALO Tournament) (two groups)

Intramural Department (John Madden 2007) Dr. Asbury Class (No Game)

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)

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

Procedure Control Group

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

Results

Immediate, 30.37

Next Day, 38.38

No Play , 29.69

Neutral, 20.31

10

20

30

40

Mea

n A

ggre

ssiv

e Sc

ores

Results

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 40.0 45.0AGGPER

No. of participants

Discussion Aggression in Immediate group not

significantly different than control group Was significant difference between Next Day

group and Neutral Game group.

Discussion The primary limitation of this study was the

number of subjects. Control issues