Moral Disengagement as a Predictor of Violent Video Game Preference

• 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

Studies on violent video games focus on game effects, rather than game characteristics (Adachi & Willoughby, 2011) or personality-related factors (e.g., Engelhardt, Bartholow, & Saults, 2011). The present online study (N=302) investigated the role of moral disengagement (i.e., self-regulatory mechanisms that prevent self-sanctioning) in predicting violent video game preference and personal opinions on statements about media effects. Our finding that moral disengagement stimulated the interest in violent game content extends recent suggestions that this form of moral self-regulation is a key factor with regard to both antecedents (e.g., Hartmann & Vorderer, 2010) and consequences of playing violent video games (e.g., Gabbiadini, Andrighetto, & Volpato, 2012). Hierarchical regression analyses also revealed that moral disengagement predicted the discrepancy between the general acceptance of statements on negative media effects and the perceived personal vulnerability. The present study thus sheds further light on cognitive self-regulatory mechanisms involved in playing and enjoying violent video games.

Authors

• Andre Melzer, University of Luxembourg

• Christian Happ, U Trier

• Georges Steffgen, U of Luxembourg