Effects of Computer Games AO1 & AO3 (Media Influences) Flashcards
What 4 methods of studies were used to study the effects of computer games?
1) Experimental studies - lab based, short term effects
2) Correlational studies - association between 2 variables, short term effects
3) Longitudinal Studies - prolonged period of time, long term effects
4) Meta-analysis - overall judgement of the size and effect of violent media on aggression.
Which 2 key psychologists investigated the effects of computer games using experimental studies?
Bartholow and Anderson
What was the procedure of Bartholow’s and Anderson’s study?
2
1) Students played either a violent computer game or a nonviolent computer game form 10min.
2) Then all carried out the Taylor Competitive Reaction Time Task (TCRTT) - students delivers blasts of white noise to punish non-existent opponent
What did Batholow and Anderson find?
Those that played the violent game chose significantly higher levels of noise than those who played the nonviolent game.
Who conducted a correlation study into the effects of computer games?
DeLisi et al
What was DeLisi’s procedure?
1) Interviewed 227 juvenile offenders w/ violent behaviours
2) Gathered data on several measures of aggression and violent computer game playing
What did DeLisi find?
Offenders aggressive behaviour correlated with how often they played violent video games and how much they enjoyed them
Based on DeLisi’s study, what did researchers argue?
That aggression should be considered a public health issue like HIV/AIDS and that computer game violence is a significant risk factor
Who conducted a longitudinal study into the effects of computer games?
Robertson et al
What was the procedure of Robertson’s study?
1) Studied 1037 people born in New Zealand in the 1970s.
2) Measure their TV viewing hours at regular intervals up to age 26
What did Robertson find?
Time spent watching TV was a reliable predictor of aggressive behaviour in adulthood.
Those who watched more TV were more likely to be diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder and have aggressive personality traits
Who conducted the Meta-Analysis?
Anderson et al
How many studies were in the Meta-analysis?
136
What did the Meta-Analysis find?
exposure to violent computer games was associated with increases in aggression
What did researchers claim about the effect of violent game playing on aggression?
That it was worse than the effect of second-hand smoke on cancer
