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How long do the short-term violent video game effects last?
Christopher Barlett1, Omar Branch, Christopher Rodeheffer
1Department of psychology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA. cpb6666@iastate.edur 2009
Aggressive Behavior
|February 12, 2009
Summary
Violent video games temporarily increase aggression and arousal. These effects, including aggressive feelings and thoughts, fade within 4 minutes, while physical responses and aggressive behaviors persist for 4-9 minutes.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Media Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Violent video games are popular and their effects on aggression are widely studied.
- Previous research indicates short-term increases in aggression and physiological arousal after gameplay.
- The duration of these effects requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the lingering effects of violent video game play on aggression and physiological arousal.
- To investigate the time course of aggressive feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and heart rate after gameplay.
Main Methods:
- Two studies were conducted with participants (N=91 each) playing violent video games.
- Measures included aggressive thoughts, feelings, heart rate, and aggressive behavior (hot sauce paradigm).
- Participants were assessed at varying delay intervals (0-10 minutes) post-gameplay.
Main Results:
- Violent video game play initially increased aggressive feelings, thoughts, behavior, and heart rate.
- Aggressive feelings and thoughts returned to baseline within 4 minutes.
- Heart rate and aggressive behavior remained elevated for 4-9 minutes.
Conclusions:
- The immediate effects of violent video games on aggression and arousal are short-lived.
- While cognitive and emotional aggression markers dissipate quickly, physiological arousal and behavioral aggression persist longer.
- Findings suggest differential recovery rates for various aggression-related outcomes.
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