Metaanalysis of the relationship between violent video game play and physical aggression over time

Abstract

To clarify and quantify the influence of video game violence (VGV) on aggressive behavior, we conducted a metaanalysis of all prospective studies to date that assessed the relation between exposure to VGV and subsequent overt physical aggression. The search strategy identified 24 studies with over 17,000 participants and time lags ranging from 3 months to 4 years. The samples comprised various nationalities and ethnicities with mean ages from 9 to 19 years. For each study we obtained the standardized regression coefficient for the prospective effect of VGV on subsequent aggression, controlling for baseline aggression. VGV was related to aggression using both fixed [β = 0.113, 95% CI = (0.098, 0.128)] and random effects models [β = 0.106 (0.078, 0.134)]. When all available covariates were included, the size of the effect remained significant for both models [β = 0.080 (0.065, 0.094) and β = 0.078 (0.053, 0.102), respectively]. No evidence of publication bias was found. Ethnicity was a statistically significant moderator for the fixed-effects models (P≤ 0.011) but not for the random-effects models. Stratified analyses indicated the effect was largest among Whites, intermediate among Asians, and nonsignificant among Hispanics. Discussion focuses on the implications of such findings for current debates regarding the effects of violent video games on physical aggression.

When and How Video Games Can Be Good: A Review of the Positive Effects of Video Games on Well-Being

“…Further, the American Psychological Association has concluded that video games influence aggression, but not violence (Calvert et al, 2017), although this report has itself come under critical scrutiny by outside scholars (Elson et al, 2019). Prescott et al, (2018) and Anderson et al, (2010) do find correlations between self-reports of aggressive behavior and VVGs over time, although the magnitude of such correlations are very small. As such, additional research needs to be conducted, ideally with preregistered hypotheses, in order to fully explicate the relationship between VVGs and aggression.…”

Dismemberment and Mutilation: A Data‐Driven Exploration of Patterns, Motives, and Styles

“…Despite of the differences in opinion with regard to exposure to mature media and violent behavior, Hull, Brunelle, Prescott, and Sargent have demonstrated a correlation between exposure to violent video games, and violent behavior and aggression over time . Stone and Brucato have also proposed that exposure to violence does not “create” violent individuals, but it may desensitize and perhaps serve to disinhibit a portion of the population that is already predisposed to violent behavior.…”

Investigating sexual harassment in online video games: How personality and context factors are related to toxic sexual behaviors against fellow players

“…The players’ hostility toward women is seen as a part of the homosocial experiences of online video gaming for male players (McInroy & Mishna, ), and a reflection of the aggressive content and context. Indeed, some meta‐analytical findings indicated that violent video game content led to increased aggression and hostility in players (Anderson et al, ; Greitemeyer & Mugge, ) and over time according to longitudinal studies (Prescott, Sargent, & Hull, ). It needs to be noted, though, that other meta‐analyses found relatively weak support for this assumption (Ferguson, ; Sherry, ), or proposed more complex processes, including selection effects (Breuer, Vogelgesang, Quandt, & Festl, ).…”