Journal of Applied Social Psychology · 1986 · 182 citations · 17 references
Social SciencesBehavioral SciencesPsychologyChild DevelopmentDevelopmental PsychologySocial BehaviorAggressionAggressive BehaviorPlay BehaviorPlay DevelopmentVideo Game StudiesAggression DevelopmentChildhood PlayControl Group DesignGame PlayMatched Control GroupSex Differences In AggressionSex Differences In Play
The study examined how playing aggressive versus nonaggressive video games affects fifth‑graders’ free play. Twenty‑two boy pairs and twenty girl pairs were randomly assigned to play an aggressive, low‑aggressive, or non‑video maze game for 8 minutes while the partner watched, then each child engaged in 8 minutes of free play alone and could give rewards or punishments to another child. Girls showed more general activity and aggressive free play after the aggressive game, less activity and more quiet play after the low‑aggressive game, while boys were unaffected; neither gender gave more punishments or rewards after any game.
This study examined the effect of playing an aggressive or nonaggressive video game on fifth‐graders' free play. Twenty‐two pairs of boys and 20 pairs of girls were randomly assigned to one of three conditions. One of the children in each pair played a video game rated by peers as aggressive, a video game with little aggression, or a non‐video maze‐solving game for 8 minutes. The other child watched. Each child was then left individually to engage in free play in a separate room for 8 minutes, and also given the opportunity to deliver rewards and punishments to another child. The results were similar for both players and observers. Girls evidenced significantly more general activity and aggressive free play after playing the aggressive video game. Girls' activity decreased and their quiet play slightly increased after playing the low aggressive game compared to the control group. Neither video game had any significant effect on boys' free play. Neither girls nor boys gave significantly more punishments or rewards after playing any of the games.
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