Violent Video Games and Hostile Expectations: A Test of the General Aggression Model

TLDR

Violent media have been shown over decades to increase aggression. This study seeks to explain why violent media increase aggression. Participants (N = 224) played either a violent or nonviolent video game, then read ambiguous conflict stories and reported the main character’s actions, thoughts, and feelings. Those who played violent games described the character as more aggressive, with more aggressive thoughts and greater anger, supporting the General Aggression Model.

Abstract

Research conducted over several decades has shown that violent media increase aggression. It is now time to move beyond the question of whether violent media increase aggression to answering the question why violent media increase aggression. The present research tested whether violent video games produce a hostile expectation bias—the tendency to expect others to react to potential conflicts with aggression. Participants (N = 224) played either a violent or nonviolent video game. Next, they read ambiguous story stems about potential interpersonal conflicts. They were asked what the main character will do, say, think, and feel as the story continues. People who played a violent video game described the main character as behaving more aggressively, thinking more aggressive thoughts, and feeling more angry than did people who played a nonviolent video game. These results are consistent with the General Aggression Model.