Are the effects of Unreal violent video games pronounced when playing with a virtual reality system?

Abstract

This study was conducted to analyze the short‐term effects of violent electronic games, played with or without a virtual reality (VR) device, on the instigation of aggressive behavior. Physiological arousal (heart rate (HR)), priming of aggressive thoughts, and state hostility were also measured to test their possible mediation on the relationship between playing the violent game (VG) and aggression. The participants—148 undergraduate students—were randomly assigned to four treatment conditions: two groups played a violent computer game (Unreal Tournament), and the other two a non‐violent game (Motocross Madness), half with a VR device and the remaining participants on the computer screen. In order to assess the game effects the following instruments were used: a BIOPAC System MP100 to measure HR, an Emotional Stroop task to analyze the priming of aggressive and fear thoughts, a self‐report State Hostility Scale to measure hostility, and a competitive reaction‐time task to assess aggressive behavior. The main results indicated that the violent computer game had effects on state hostility and aggression. Although no significant mediation effect could be detected, regression analyses showed an indirect effect of state hostility between playing a VG and aggression. Aggr. Behav. 34:521–538, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Virtual experience, real consequences: the potential negative emotional consequences of virtual reality gameplay

“…The relationship between violent content and aggression has also been demonstrated in VR, with findings having shown that exposure to violent VR can lead to elevated levels of aggression (Calvert and Tan 1994) and hostile thoughts (Tomborini, Eastin, Skalski, Lachlan, Fediuk and Brady 2004). However, while researchers have attempted to determine whether VR has greater potential to elicit higher levels of aggression compared to 2D video games, empirical support for this hypothesis is still lacking (Arriaga et al 2008;Eastin and Griffiths 2006).…”

Comparing EndoPAT and BIOPAC measurement of vascular responses to mental stress

“…Arterial blood pressure in the control arm was measured using the oscillometric or auscultatory (Korotkoff sounds) plethysmographic technique with a TSD120 pressure transducer connected the computerized MP150‐BIOPAC data acquisition system via to a DA100C amplifier (BIOPAC Systems, Goleta, CA, USA) 9–11. The cuff was inflated to and held at 70 mmHg pressure to prevent venous pooling, thus avoiding veno‐arteriolar reflex vasoconstriction.…”

“…Arterial blood pressure in the control arm was measured using the oscillometric or auscultatory (Korotkoff sounds) plethysmographic technique with a TSD120 pressure transducer connected the computerized MP150-BIOPAC data acquisition system via to a DA100C amplifier (BIOPAC Systems, Goleta, CA, USA). [9][10][11] The cuff was inflated to and held at 70 mmHg pressure to prevent venous pooling, thus avoiding veno-arteriolar reflex vasoconstriction. Pulsatile volume changes of the brachial artery induce a pressure alteration in the cuff, which is sensed by the pressure transducer, and then transmitted, amplified and recorded by the BIOPAC acquisition system.…”

Modes of immersion and stress induced by commercial (off-the-shelf) 3D games

“…The author found that the stereoscopic monitor elicits stronger emotions and a sense of presence. Similarly, Arriaga et al 24 reported a significant increase in participants' physiological arousal playing video games on a VR system compared to its desktop-based counterpart. Persky and Blascovich 25 observed not only the same arousal but also an increase in feelings of aggression.…”