The Relationship Between Violent Video Games and Aggressive Behavior: A Meta-Analysis

The debate surrounding the effects of violent video games on aggressive behavior has been a topic of discussion in recent years. One of the most prominent arguments put forward by Anderson et al. is that playing violent video games increases aggressive behavior. This study aims to examine the implications of such findings for current debates and provide a comprehensive overview of the relationship between violent video game play and physical aggression.

To achieve this goal, we conducted a meta-analysis of all prospective studies that assessed the relation between exposure to video game violence (VGV) and subsequent overt physical aggression. Our search strategy identified 24 studies with over 17,000 participants from various nationalities and ethnicities, ranging in age from 9 to 19 years.

The results of our analysis indicated a significant positive relationship between VGV and aggression, using both fixed-effects and random-effects models. Stratified analyses showed that the effect was largest among Whites, intermediate among Asians, and non-significant among Hispanics. Furthermore, ethnicity was found to be a statistically significant moderator for the fixed-effects models.

Interestingly, our findings suggest that the size of the effect remained significant even when all available covariates were included in the analysis. This is important because it suggests that the relationship between VGV and aggression is robust and not dependent on specific variables.

The implications of these findings are far-reaching. They suggest that exposure to violent video games can have a profound impact on an individual's aggressive behavior, particularly among certain ethnic groups. As such, parents, policymakers, and game developers should be aware of the potential risks associated with playing violent video games and take steps to mitigate them.

In conclusion, our meta-analysis provides strong evidence for the relationship between violent video game play and physical aggression. The findings suggest that exposure to VGV can increase aggressive behavior, particularly among certain ethnic groups. As such, it is essential to consider the potential impact of video games on an individual's behavior and take steps to promote a safer and more responsible gaming environment.

Videogame meta definition