The positive and negative effects of computers and video games on behaviour Flashcards
Discuss Anderson’s work into the negative effects on computers/video games
Experimental Studies:
In the laboratory have found short term increases in levels of physiological arousal, hostile feelings and aggressive behaviour following sessions of violent game play compared to non-violent game play. Arousal is measured by blood pressure and heart rate, and hostility by self-report measures. Aggressive behaviour cannot be measured directly (this is not permitted on ethical grounds). Instead, participants blast each other with high levels of white noise (a random, multi-frequency sound). Anderson et al - student participants blasted their opponents with white noise for longer and rated themselves higher on the hostility scale after playing a violent ‘first person shooter game’ compared to those who played a slow paced puzzle game.
Correlation Studies - use surveys to identify patterns of video/computer game use and aggressive feelings and behaviour. Anderson et al - studied over 600 adolescents and found that time spent playing violent video and computer games was positively correlated with aggressive feelings, arguments with teachers and incidence of physical fights. even children with lower levels of trait hostility (those with less aggressive personalities) who spent more time playing violent video and computer games were more likely to get into physical fights than children with higher levels of hostility who played fewer violent games.
Longitudinal Studies - of the long term effects of video and computer games are rare. Anderson et al - 430 7-9 year old children were surveyed at two points in the school year. Children who had high exposure to violent video and computer games became more verbally and physically aggressive and less pro-social (as rated by themselves, their peers and their teachers). This suggests that repeated exposure to violent video and computer games not only increases aggressive, but also decrease pro-social helpful behaviours.
Meta-Analyses - Have found a consistent link between violent video and computer game play and aggressive behaviour. This association appears to hold for both adults and children. Violent video and computer games tend to become more violent as time goes on so research would expect to find larger effects with newer studies and this is indeed the case. Earlier studies found smaller effects than more recent studies.
Evaluate Anderson’s research into the negative effects of computer/video games - types of study
Experimental Studies -
+ Investigate causal relationships rather than just correlations
-Only measure short term effects not long term effects.
-Measures of aggression are artificial so may not apply to real life situations…
Correlation Studies -
+ Overcome the main weakness of experimental studies because they can use a range of real world measures of aggression.
+Can also be used to measure long term effects]
Longitudinal Studies:
+ Can study short and long term effects in individual participants using a ranger of real world measures of aggression
-P’s may be exposed to other forms of media violence (e.g. on TV) during the course of the study, meaning that the effect from violent game exposure alone is uncertain.
Evaluate Anderson’s research into the negative effects of computer/video games
Publication Bias - This occurs when articles with positive results are selected for publication in greater proportion than those which report negative results. As a result, published research may present a biased view of all the studies carried out. Ferguson - analysed 17 studies published between 1995 and 2007. Once corrected for publication bias, the studies provided no evidence for the hypothesis that violent gaming was associated with higher levels of aggression.
Distinguishing between the violent and non-violent games -
Many studies use violent and non-violent games that are not particularly different from one another. Often they are not matched on potentially confounding dimensions such as frustration or excitement. It could be the excitement rather then the violence levels which is causing increased aggressive behaviour.
Individual differences -
People with a more aggressive personality type may engage in a more aggressive style of game-playing. Unlike exposure to violent content in television and films, the same game can present different content to different players on the basis of how they choose to play. for example, more sensation-seeking players can activate game features to show more gore and use more gruesome weapons. Most individuals may be unaffected by exposure to violence, but a few individuals may be affected.
Discuss Gentile et al and Greitemeyer & Osswald research into Computer and Video Games and positive behaviour
Gentile et al - Conducted three studies in three countries with three age groups, to test whether video games in which characters help each other increased both short-term and long-term pro social behaviour. Findings showed that participants who had been assigned to playing pro-social games were more helpful towards a fellow student in a later task, than participants who had played a violent video game. Pro-Social game playing was related to pro-social behaviour over a three to four month period. Gentile at al conclude that since video games can have positive and negative effects, parents should monitor their child’s game playing to ensure that games with maximum benefits are played. However, this might be difficult to achieve especially for older children when there is clearly peer pressure to play certain games that friends have recommended.
Greitemeyer & Osswald - Set up a study where some participamts played Lemmings for 8 minutes (a game to ensure the safety of lemmings) others played an aggressive game (Lamers) or a neutral game (Tetris). A researcher then knocked over a cup of pencils. 67% who played lemmings helped pick up pencils compared to 33% of those who played the neutral game and 28% of those who played the aggressive game.
what has research into the positive effects of games shown?
Research has found a link between video games and computer use and obesity in young people. However more recent developments in video and computer games promote physical activity and therefore many go some way to reversing the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. However, whilst video games like Wii sports offer a way to get people more active it has been argued that they are not a replacement for traditional forms of exercise. Research has shown that children burn off four times as many calories when doing the real sport rather than just playing the video game of that sport. Although, one advantage of virtual sports games is that they can develop confidence in people to try something new, improving co-ordination and rule knowledge, which might in turn encourage them to try the real thing.
There is evidence to suggest that computer use has had postive effects on children leading to better communication skills. It is estimated that 88% of adolescents use instant messaging to communicate with friends. Reduced visual, auditory and social status cues in internet communication encourage self-disclosure in adolescents who are often self-concious and shy. Some evidence suggests that internet relationships also act as a buffer against the stressors in adolescence.
Describe facebook use studied by Gonzalez
Gonzalez- gave US Students 3 minutes to
i) use their facebook page
ii) look at themselves in a mirror
iii) do nothing
Group i) gave the most positive feedback about themselves
However, another study found a negative correlation between Facebook use & College grades.
