Abstract
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1033-1036 |
| Journal | Journal of Experimental Social Psychology |
| Volume | 47 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |
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This is your brain on violent video games: Neural desensitization to violence predicts increased aggression following violent video game exposure. / Engelhardt, C.R.; Bartholow, B.D.; Kerr, G.T.; Bushman, B.J.
In: Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Vol. 47, 2011, p. 1033-1036.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - This is your brain on violent video games: Neural desensitization to violence predicts increased aggression following violent video game exposure
AU - Engelhardt, C.R.
AU - Bartholow, B.D.
AU - Kerr, G.T.
AU - Bushman, B.J.
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - Previous research has shown that media violence exposure can cause desensitization to violence, which in theory can increase aggression. However, no study to date has demonstrated this association. In the present experiment, participants played a violent or nonviolent video game, viewed violent and nonviolent photos while their brain activity was measured, and then gave an ostensible opponent unpleasant noise blasts. Participants low in previous exposure to video game violence who played a violent (relative to a nonviolent) game showed a reduction in the P3 component of the event-related brain potential (ERP) to violent images (indicating physiological desensitization), and this brain response mediated the effect of video game content on subsequent aggressive behavior. These data provide the first experimental evidence linking violence desensitization with increased aggression, and show that a neural marker of this process can at least partially account for the causal link between violent game exposure and aggression. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.
AB - Previous research has shown that media violence exposure can cause desensitization to violence, which in theory can increase aggression. However, no study to date has demonstrated this association. In the present experiment, participants played a violent or nonviolent video game, viewed violent and nonviolent photos while their brain activity was measured, and then gave an ostensible opponent unpleasant noise blasts. Participants low in previous exposure to video game violence who played a violent (relative to a nonviolent) game showed a reduction in the P3 component of the event-related brain potential (ERP) to violent images (indicating physiological desensitization), and this brain response mediated the effect of video game content on subsequent aggressive behavior. These data provide the first experimental evidence linking violence desensitization with increased aggression, and show that a neural marker of this process can at least partially account for the causal link between violent game exposure and aggression. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.
U2 - 10.1016/j.jesp.2011.03.027
DO - 10.1016/j.jesp.2011.03.027
M3 - Article
VL - 47
SP - 1033
EP - 1036
JO - Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
JF - Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
SN - 0022-1031
ER -