Violent video games and hostile expectations: A test of the general aggression model

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Author:

Bushman, Brad J.; Anderson, Craig A.

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Year:

2002

Article Title:

Violent video games and hostile expectations: A test of the general aggression model

Journal:

Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin

Volume:

Edition:

Issue:

Pages:

1679-1686

ISBN/ISSN:

0146-1672

Source of Funding:

Funding Source Not Stated in Paper

Study Design:

Experimental Study

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Age Group:

Adolescence (13-17 yrs), Adulthood (18 yrs & older), Young Adulthood (18-29 yrs)

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Abstract:

Objective: To examine whether violent video games produce a "hostile expectation bias"-the tendency to expect others to react to potential conflicts with aggression.

Design: Experimental study

Subjects and Setting: 224 undergraduate students (112 men, 112 women) enrolled in introductory psychology courses-course credit received in exchange for study participation. Participants played either a violent (experimental) or nonviolent (control) video game. Following, ambiguous stories on potential interpersonal conflicts were read. Participants were then asked what the main character will do, say, think, and feel as the story continues.

Interventions: N/A

Outcome Measures: Number of aggressive responses for character do/say, think, feel

Results: Experimental group expected more aggressive responses from story characters than controls; F(1,220) 7.40, p<.007. Experimental group were more likely to expect main characters to do or say something aggressive; F(1,22) = 8.14, p<.005. Experimental group was more likely to expect the main character to have aggressive thoughts and ides, though not quite significant effect F(1,22) = 3.69, p<.06. Experimental group more likely to expect the main characters to feel angry and aggressive; F(1,220) =6.17, P<.02.

Conclusion: Playing a violent video game for just 20 minutes produced significant increases in expectations that potential conflict situations would be handled aggressively, as predicted by the General Aggression Model. This model organizes the relevant research in a simple way and can serve as a guide for future research designed to answer critical questions pertaining to mediation and interventions. � Center on Media and Child Health

Keywords:

Adults
Aggression
Anger
Arousal
Conflict
Decision Making
Emotional Response
Perception
Storytelling
Video Games
Violence (Media Content)