How violent video games affect prosocial outcomes: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Video games do indeed influence children and adolescents' aggression, prosocial behavior, and academic performance: A clearer reading of Ferguson. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 10(5), 671-673. Brockmyer, J. F. (2015). Playing violent video games and desensitization to violence. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 24(1), 65-77. Buckley, K. E., & Anderson, C. A. (2006). A theoretical model of the effects and consequences of playing video games. In P. Vorderer & J. Bryant (Eds.), Playing video games: Motives, responses, and consequences (pp. 363-378). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.

Relations Between Violent Video Game Experiences and Prosocial Behavior

“…Supporting our hypothesis, we found that the participants who had more violent video game experiences reported less prosociality, which was consistent with previous results (Anderson et al, 2010;Funk et al, 2004;Greitemeyer & Mügge, 2014;Shao et al, 2019). Our findings further confirmed the violent video game desensitization model proposed by Carnagey et al (2007).…”

“…In addition, studies also provided direct evidence. For example, meta-analysis has found that exposure to violent video games had a negative effect on players' prosocial behavior (Shao et al, 2019). On the contrary, exposure to prosocial video games may activate individuals' accessibility of prosocial thoughts, which in turn promotes prosocial behavior (Greitemeyer & Mügge, 2014).…”

“…Prosocial behavior, as a kind of positive social adaptive behavior, has been identified as a significant contributor to youth healthy development (Lerner et al, 2023), and the healthy development of which will benefit individuals and society as a whole (Penner et al, 2005). An increasing number of researchers have started to explore the influence of playing violent video game on prosocial behavior (Shao et al, 2019) and the psychological mechanisms (e.g., decreased attention or sympathy, Carnage et al, 2007) underlying the relationship. Yet, it is unknown that what physiological changes underlie these psychological mechanisms.…”

The effects of violent video games and shyness on individuals’ aggressive behaviors

“…Since then, a number of studies have explored the potentially negative effects of VVGs (Allen, Anderson, & Bushman, ; Anderson & Bushman, ) on individuals’ behaviors. Many have explored the effects VVGs have on aggressive behaviors (e.g., Diaz, Wong, Hodgins, Chiu, & Goghari, ; Shao, Teng, & Liu, ). Most related studies have found that VVGs can increase such behaviors (Gabbiadini & Riva, ; Greitemeyer, ) by increasing hostile attributions, negative affect, and physiological arousal (Calvert et al, ; Greitemeyer, ).…”

Online violent video games and online aggressive behavior among Chinese college students: The role of anger rumination and self‐control

“…As the online social world continues to expand, some observers have noted an increase of individuals behaving in an unrestrained manner on the Internet (Joinson, 2005). A considerable amount of literature has been published on online violent video games (OVVGs), particularly among adolescents (Lenhart et al, 2008;Shao et al, 2019;Tian et al, 2019). OVVGs refer to online interactive activities based on Internet technology, which includes violence, fighting, and other ways of expression (Anderson & Bushman, 2001).…”