Digital Games and Frustration: Effects on Aggression and Cooperative Behavior

• In Event: [Extended Session] The Dark Cloud of Video Game Effects (and an Emerging Silver Lining): Can Games Have a Place in a Good Life?

Abstract

The impact of digital game play on aggressive and cooperative behaviors continues to be debated within the academic literature. Most of the studies in this area have focused on game contents (e.g., violence), while the social context of gaming is largely neglected. This paper presents two experimental studies. In the first study (n = 76), we looked at the effects of game outcome and trash-talking in a competitive colocated multiplayer sports video game on aggressive behavior. We found an effect of losing on post-game aggression, which was mediated by negative affect. In the second study (n = 88), we looked at the effects of outcome and mode (cooperative vs. competitive) on cooperative behavior. We found that playing cooperatively, even with a negative outcome, always increased cooperative behavior. The results suggest that, in addition to issues of content, variables like frustration should be considered when studying game effects.

Authors

• Malte Elson, University of Muenster

• Johannes Breuer, University of Muenster

• Michael Scharkow, U of Hohenheim

• Thorsten Quandt, University of Muenster