Introduction
The influence of violent computer games on human behavior is a rather acute social problem. In an attempt to explain the aggressive and destructive behavior of teenagers that pose significant threats to the public, many try to blame games. However, most contemporary studies show no significant correlation between violent content and behavior patterns. Much more significant in this matter are the accompanying factors, which can be the basis of violent tendencies in behavior, while games are a catalyst. Therefore, this literature review aims to evaluate existing developments related to this topic to determine the degree of exposure of gamers to active manifestations of aggression.
Literature Review
Psychological Influence of Computer Games
Violent Content and Aggression
Researchers do not have a consensus regarding the relationship between violent content and aggressive behavior in individuals. Przybylski and Weinstein (2019) highlight that previous research in this area may be biased based on the need to find a relationship between two factors. Violent tendencies in behavior can be formed under the influence of various factors.
At the same time, the consumption of specific content, including video games, is not decisive and does not show a statistically significant effect on aggressive behavior in adolescents (Przybylski & Weinstein, 2019). Moreover, violent games are not associated with prosocial behavior. This research has highlighted that gamers can differentiate between online virtual and real-life social interactions (Przybylski & Weinstein, 2019). Based on these differences, they choose behavior patterns that reflect their personal qualities.
Moreover, computer games can have a positive impact regardless of their content. For example, Dowsett and Jackson (2019) argue that gaming may be fundamental to children’s development. In particular, this concerns cognitive development and the formation of decision-making and planning skills. People who play computer games do not transfer what they see into the real world, but they internalize the experience (Dowsett & Jackson, 2019). In addition, games affect the emotional background, helping to relax, relieve stress, and get distracted. Violent gaming is often a coping technique gamers use during personal crises and difficult experiences (Ferguson et al., 2022). Therefore, they do not provoke aggressive and violent behavior but are a tool for preventing it.
However, not all researchers share this position. According to Tian et al. (2020), violent content in games can negatively affect the level of general aggression. Such tendencies are not initially characteristic of people and are acquired due to experience. An example of such an experience is violent computer games, which can lead to disturbances in a person’s value system and personality and behavioral changes. At the same time, researchers note that in most cases, gamers increase the level of internal aggression, which does not affect cruelty or active hostility (Tian et al., 2020).
Short-Term and Long-Term Impact
Quite a few studies have looked at the long-term effects of consuming violent content on individuals. This often justifies the false relationship between computer games and aggression. Gamers may experience anger and engage in destructive gaming behavior (Addo et al., 2021). Typically, these trends are short-term and are based on increased physiological arousal due to the active release of adrenaline (Tian et al., 2020). However, these observations are not sufficiently relevant and demonstrative to claim their lasting impact. Eliminating content as a source of adrenaline is usually an effective way to stop aggressive tendencies in gamers.
Social Consequences
The social consequences of computer games are much more significant for understanding aggressive tendencies in gamers’ behavior. Charmaraman et al. (2020) found that people who gamble are more likely to experience educational and family withdrawal. This leads to social distancing and impaired ability to build effective relationships with others. Moreover, within online games, there are distinct communities with formed values, worldviews, and social norms (Charmaraman et al., 2020).
Thus, gamers, especially adolescents, develop a new environment that can influence their behavior. Due to deepening into virtual communication and the formation of a new social environment with similar interests, adolescents often change their behavior. This can have both positive aspects related to broadening one’s horizons. And negative ones, manifested in the format of destructive tendencies (Charmaraman et al., 2020). This behavior often leads to criminal activity or self-harm.
Related Factors
Competition
Although there is disagreement, researchers in the fields of cognitive and behavioral psychology agree that violent content in games only amplifies the influence of other factors that have a critical influence on aggressive behavior. One such factor is the high level of competition in gaming (Dowsett & Jackson, 2019). Not being able to get what you want or losing often increases feelings of aggression and anger.
Dowsett and Jackson (2019) assessed the relationship between competitive gaming and aggression using the Taylor Competitive Reaction Time Task (TCRTT). It found that games that rely on competition between individuals or teams or that place additional pressure on individuals, such as time limits, increase aggression and anger. However, Dowsett and Jackson (2019) did not find a relationship between the content’s nature and the aggression level. Moreover, researchers argue that feelings of aggression do not lead to violent behavior and are limited to short-term bursts of anger (Dowsett & Jackson, 2019). Consequently, competition in games has a more significant impact on the behavior and emotional state of the individual.
Involvement in the Game
Another significant factor is the degree of human involvement in the game. Spending a moderate amount of time in the virtual world does not affect the behavior of gamers in reality (Ferguson et al., 2022). However, increasing the duration of the gaming experience may lead to some changes. Ferguson et al. (2022) note that the key factor in this case is not the nature of the content but the level of its perception by the gamer.
Consequently, increasing the time of gaming leads to the formation of greater attachment and emotional involvement. Experience of difficulty in playing games and frustration from failure may increase feelings of hostility but do not lead to aggressive behavior (Ferguson et al., 2022). Games influence a person on an emotional and mental level, forming dependence and the need to obtain satisfaction from completing a task. In this regard, gamers often cannot control the time spent in virtual reality, which leads to negative consequences for their level of socialization.
Gamer’s Personality Traits
Moreover, a person’s personal qualities outside of virtual reality significantly influence the formation of aggressive behavior. Tian et al. (2020) assessed the relationship between modesty and aggression induced by computer games. The results showed that quiet and shy people in the real world are more likely to be negatively affected by violent content. Such people have more negative emotions and internal experiences they cannot realize (Tian et al., 2020).
The presence of a negative background plays a critical role in the formation of aggressive tendencies in behavior. Moreover, they are more likely to spend more time in the virtual world, eliminating the possibility of gaining positive experiences and changing their behavioral patterns. Violence in the real world is often a way of self-actualization for shy people (Tian et al., 2020). Therefore, personality traits significantly impact the nature of the interaction between violent content and the individual’s consciousness.
Mediators
Environmental Aspects
External factors, such as the environment or social interaction, can increase or decrease the impact of violent computer games on a person. Addo et al. (2021) found that individuals exposed to hostile environments were more likely to engage in aggressive behavior due to exposure to violent video games. This includes the presence of inequality, exposure to discrimination, and social vulnerability and insecurity. In addition, Addo et al. (2021) link tendencies toward violent behavior to the influence of the environment on the formation of a value system and a person’s internalization of social norms. As a result, violent games increase people’s sense of permissiveness and promote the adoption and normalization of a model of resolving conflicts with force.
Social Aspects
Moreover, the level of socialization and characteristic social interactions also influence an individual’s propensity for aggressive behavior. Charmaraman et al. (2020) suggest that gamers with deeper social bonds, including family and friends, are less likely to engage in violent behavior. Researchers have noted that parents can mediate adolescents by controlling time spent in the virtual world and influencing children’s overall well-being (Charmaraman et al., 2020).
Knowledge Gaps
This topic has some gaps and limitations that limit the possibility of a deeper study. First, rigorous research into the impact of content is relatively recent, which poses challenges in selecting relevant assessment tools and methods. Moreover, the reviewed articles often consider only one aspect, while the topic lacks comprehensive study.
Secondly, the approach to establishing the relationship between violent computer games and aggressive behavior in people is often generalized. It does not consider the individual characteristics of research participants in the results. This creates a need to develop the topic further and analyze additional factors that may be the root causes of violent behavior among gamers.
Conclusion
Reviewed articles have demonstrated the lack of significant impact of violent computer games on human behavior. Even though the gaming process can lead to a short-term increase in feelings of aggression and hostility, they often do not have actual manifestations in actions. Moreover, their long-term impact does not have a sufficient evidence base.
The associated factors and the presence of mediators are much more significant for the formation of violent tendencies in the behavior of individuals. A person’s personal qualities, the degree of their involvement in the game, and the influence of the social environment often play a key role in the formation of cruel and aggressive tendencies in behavior. In contrast, computer games remain a third-party factor that does not have a significant influence.
References
Addo, P. C., Fang, J., Kulbo, N. B., Gumah, B., Dagadu, J. C., & Li, L. (2021). Violent video games and aggression among young adults: the moderating effects of adverse environmental factors. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 24(1), 17-23. Web.
Charmaraman, L., Richer, A. M., & Moreno, M. A. (2020). Social and behavioral health factors associated with violent and mature gaming in early adolescence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(14), 4996-5015. Web.
Dowsett, A., & Jackson, M. (2019). The effect of violence and competition within video games on aggression. Computers in Human Behavior, 99, 22-27. Web.
Ferguson, C. J., Gryshyna, A., Kim, J. S., Knowles, E., Nadeem, Z., Cardozo, I., & Willis, E. (2022). Video games, frustration, violence, and virtual reality: Two studies. British Journal of Social Psychology, 61(1), 83-99.
Przybylski, A. K., & Weinstein, N. (2019). Violent video game engagement is not associated with adolescents’ aggressive behaviour: Evidence from a registered report. Royal Society Open Science, 6(2), 1-16. Web.
Tian, Y., Gao, M., Wang, P., & Gao, F. (2020). The effects of violent video games and shyness on individuals’ aggressive behaviors. Aggressive Behavior, 46(1), 16-24. Web.
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