University of Twente Student Theses
To game or not to game : examing differences in presence, arousal and intended aggression after playing or observing a violent videogame
Broek, P. van den (2008) To game or not to game : examing differences in presence, arousal and intended aggression after playing or observing a violent videogame.
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| Abstract: | This exploratory study examined the difference in intended aggression after playing (active) and observing (passive) a violent video game. The main explaining variables were arousal and presence, independent variables like trait aggression, playtime, game preference, previous experience with the game and gender were analysed as possible interacting variables. It was predicted that participants in the active condition would score higher on the intended aggression scale than participants in the passive condition through more arousal and presence. Results indicate that participants in the active condition were significantly more aroused and perceived greater feelings of presence. However, these variables were not correlated to intended aggression and no differences on intended aggression were found between conditions. Previous experience with the game, gender and a preference for first person shooter (FPS) games proved to interact with condition, however the difference between the active and passive condition was only significant within the group that frequently played FPS games. Moreover, this difference was in the opposite direction as predicted. Although differences within the group that plays FPS games frequently hint toward a difference in intended aggression between the conditions, the results for the explaining variables were too ambiguous and contradictory to draw conclusions from. Until more research is conducted for the specific sub-groups (amongst others FPS players) it is concluded that there is no difference between playing and observing a violent video game |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 05 communication studies |
| Programme: | Psychology MSc (66604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/58908 |
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