Date of Award
8-16-2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Psychological Science, MS
First Advisor
Jessica Curtis
Committee Members
Kristin Biondolillo; Wayne Wilkinson
Call Number
LD 251 .A566t 2022 B88
Abstract
Much of video game research has focused on the effects of violent video games. The present study sought a new approach to studying video games; one pertaining to non-violent video games. Non-violent video games were the only stimuli used within the study, something that has not been tested previously using this methodology. The effects of competition and game difficulty were analyzed using the Tangram Help/Hurt Task. Participants played Super Mario Maker 2 and then completed the Tangram Help/Hurt Task. It was predicted that a competitive and difficult non-violent video game would lead participants to act aggressively towards another individual. Results were expected to align with previous research concerning competition and game difficulty and oppose theories suggesting violent content impacts aggression. Results conclude that competition and game difficulty do now impact aggression; however, numerous limitations impact these results.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Butler, Jared Carter, "Can a Non-Violent Video Game Impact Aggression? The Effects of Competition and Game Difficulty on Aggressive Behaviors." (2022). Student Theses and Dissertations. 241.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/241
