Can interface features affect aggression resulting from violent video game play? An examination of realistic controller and large screen size

Aggressiveness attributed to violent video game play is typically studied as a function of the content features of the game. However, can interface features of the game also affect aggression? Guided by the General Aggression Model (GAM), we examine the controller type (gun replica vs. mouse) and sc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCyberpsychology, behavior and social networking Vol. 16; no. 5; p. 329
Main Authors Kim, Ki Joon, Sundar, S Shyam
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.05.2013
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Affect
Aggression
Arousal
Data Display
Factor Analysis, Statistical
Humans
Linear Models
Male
Spatial Behavior
User-Computer Interface
Video Games
Violence
Young Adult
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Summary:Aggressiveness attributed to violent video game play is typically studied as a function of the content features of the game. However, can interface features of the game also affect aggression? Guided by the General Aggression Model (GAM), we examine the controller type (gun replica vs. mouse) and screen size (large vs. small) as key technological aspects that may affect the state aggression of gamers, with spatial presence and arousal as potential mediators. Results from a between-subjects experiment showed that a realistic controller and a large screen display induced greater aggression, presence, and arousal than a conventional mouse and a small screen display, respectively, and confirmed that trait aggression was a significant predictor of gamers' state aggression. Contrary to GAM, however, arousal showed no effects on aggression; instead, presence emerged as a significant mediator.
ISSN:2152-2723
DOI:10.1089/cyber.2012.0500