Using an implicit association test to examine the effects of violent video games on the values we place on others

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2006-01-01
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Tapscott, Ryan
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Douglas Gentile
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Psychology
The Department of Psychology may prepare students with a liberal study, or for work in academia or professional education for law or health-services. Graduates will be able to apply the scientific method to human behavior and mental processes, as well as have ample knowledge of psychological theory and method.
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Abstract

The effect of exposure to violent video games on automatic devaluations of others was investigated in a sample of 337 undergraduate students. Contrary to our prediction, participants who played a violent video game did not automatically associate others with devaluation on an Implicit Association Test more than did participants who played a nonviolent game. Additionally, playing a violent game did not lead participants to automatically associate themselves more with worth than participants who played a non-violent game. However, males automatically associated themselves with worth more after playing a violent game, while females automatically associated themselves more with worth after playing a non-violent game. Furthermore, playing a violent video game led participants to experience less state empathy, less positive and more negative emotions, and less compassion. These results suggest that violent video game exposure may impair a person's ability to experience the emotional aspects necessary for empathy. Results are discussed in relation to the General Aggression Model.

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Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 2006