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Null Effects of Game Violence, Game Difficulty, and 2D:4D Digit Ratio on Aggressive Behavior
Joseph Hilgard1, Christopher R Engelhardt2,3, Jeffrey N Rouder4
11 Department of Psychology, Illinois State University.
Psychological Science
|March 8, 2019
Summary
This study found no evidence that playing violent video games or having a low 2D:4D digit ratio causes aggressive behavior in young men. Further research is needed to understand aggression triggers.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Media Studies
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Aggressive behavior is a significant societal concern.
- Previous research suggested a link between violent video game exposure and aggression.
- The 2D:4D digit ratio is hypothesized to correlate with prenatal testosterone exposure and subsequent behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal relationship between acute exposure to violent video games and aggressive behavior.
- To examine whether the 2D:4D digit ratio predicts aggressive behavior.
Main Methods:
- 275 male undergraduates were randomly assigned to play either a violent or non-violent first-person shooter game.
- Game difficulty was also manipulated (hard or easy).
- Aggression was measured after participants were provoked by a confederate.
Main Results:
- Neither violent video game exposure nor game difficulty significantly predicted aggressive behavior.
- The 2D:4D digit ratio did not correlate with aggressive behavior in this sample.
Conclusions:
- The findings do not support the hypothesis that acute exposure to violent video games causes aggression.
- Low 2D:4D digit ratio is not supported as a predictor of aggressive behavior based on this study.
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