Violent Video Games and Aggression: The potential role of cognitive functioning

• In Event: Neurocognitive Pathways to Violence: Psychosocial Deprivation, Media, Cognition, and Intervention

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between violent video games and aggression by considering cognitive functioning as the mediator role involved in this relationship.
113 participants engaged in this study. Their ages ranged between 18 and 25 years old. Their aggression (Buss-Perry Scale), impulsivity and executive function was measured.
Results showed that the effect of video gaming on aggression was significant, with b = .170 and p < .001 and the mediation analysis showed that the indirect effect was significant, suggesting that impulsivity was a mediator between video gaming and aggression. Another significant mediator which was executive function was also found. Findings showed significant positive correlations among internet/video-game engagement, measures of impulsivity and executive function, and self-reported aggression on the Buss–Perry scale. Mediation analyses indicated that both impulsivity and executive functioning partially mediated the association between internet/game use and aggression, suggesting that cognitive processes play an important intermediary role.

Authors

• Cheuk Ying Lee, Hong Kong Shue Yan University

• Bess Yin-Hung Lam, Hong Kong Shue Yan University