Relationship between Video Game Violence and Long-Term Neuropsychological Outcomes

Abstract

The current study examined the long-term effects of video game violence on aggressiveness and facial expression recognition using multiple measures. In Experiment 1, participants unfamiliar with video games were randomly assigned to play a violent or nonviolent video game for four weeks. Before and after the game play interval, event-related potentials (ERP) evoked by facial expressions were recorded, and aggressiveness was measured with a questionnaire. Results showed that playing a violent video game delayed peak latency of a positive component of the ERP evoked by angry faces and increased aggressiveness among male participants. Experiment 2 included a 3-month follow-up assessment. Results showed preservation of delayed neural activity, while levels of aggressiveness diminished to some extent. These findings highlight differential aspects regarding the long-term effects of playing a violent video game: more enduring for facial expression recognition and short-lived for aggressiveness.