Violent Video Games and Desensitization to Violence: An ERP
Study
Student Researchers: Bianca Sweeney, David Westmark, and Kue Xiong
Advisors: Richard Tafalla and Michael Donnelly
University of Wisconsin Stout
Desensitization
“Diminished p
psychological
y
g
or emotional
responsiveness to a stimulus after repeated exposure
to it” (Bartholow et al 2005). Brief exposure to
violent video games is enough to elicit
desensitization to violence (see Carnagey et al
2006).
Nonviolent Condition
Violent Condition
Results
In the post tests P300/LPP responses to
negative images were lower in
participants
i i
who
h played
l d the
h violent
i l
videogame (Call of Duty 4) than in
participants who played the nonviolent
game (Frogger).
Hypothesis
P300/LPP response to violent images will be
lower after playing the violent video game Call of
Duty 4 compared to playing the non violent
video game Frogger.
Method
10
NEUTRAL
8
NEGATIVE
10
6
4
2
0
10
0
250
500
750
1000
1250
1500
‐250
250
1750
0
250
750
1000
1250
1500
1750
Milliseconds After Exposure
‐4
‐4
10
CALL OF DUTY (PRE)
NEUTRAL
NEGATIVE
CALL OF DUTY (POST)
NEUTRAL
8
8
NEGATIVE
As hypothesized, electrophysiological responses
show desensitization to violent images after
playing a violent video game compared to a
non-violent video game. This supports previous
research on desensitization using behavioral
measures as well as physiological.
6
6
Miicrovolts
Microvolts
500
‐2
Milliseconds After Exposure
4
2
4
2
0
‐250
0
250
500
750
1000
1250
1500
1750
‐250
0
250
500
750
1000
1250
1500
1750
‐2
‐2
‐4
Pictures
10
(EEG & EOG recording)
Practice
5
4
0
‐250
250
‐2
Discussion
6
2
0
Rest
FROGGER (POST)
NEGATIVE
8
10
Experimental Sequence:
Session
Time/Minutes
-------------------------------------------------------------p
20
EEG & EOG hook up
NEUTRAL
FROGGER (PRE)
Microvolts
Microvolts
Participants: 16 students, were recruited from
undergraduate psychology courses to participate
Procedure: Participants were randomly assigned to
one of two conditions: Frogger or Call of Duty
Physiological Measures: We recorded
electroencephalography to look at their ERP
responses (more specifically, P300/LPP). We also
recorded with EOG to account for eye blink artifacts
Call of Duty 4 for Xbox
Frogger for PC
Milliseconds After Exposure
‐4
Milliseconds After Exposure
References
Anderson, C. A. and Dill, K. E. (200). Video games and aggressive thoughts, feelings and behavior in the laboratory and in life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 78 772-790.
Experiment
30
Pictures
10
(EEG & EOG recording)
Questionnaires
20
Bartholow, B. D., Bushman, B. J., & Sestir, M. A. (2005). Cronic violent video game exposure and desensitization to violence: behavioral and event-related brain potential data. Journal of Experimental Social
Psychology 42 532-539.
Cacioppo, J. T., Crites, S. L., Gardner, W. L., & Berntson, G. G. (1994). Bioelectrical Echoes From Evaluative Categorizations: I. A late Positive Brain Potential That Varies as a Function of Trait Negativity and
Extremity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Vol. 67. No. 1, 115-125
Ito, T. A., Larsen, J. T., Smith, N. K., & Cacioppo, J. T. (1998). Negative Information Weighs More Heavily on the Brain: The Negativity Bias in Evaluative Categorizations. Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology Vol. 75, no. 4, 887-900