Beating the bully : a study of violent video games and cognitive restructuring

Abstract

This experimental study examines the effect of violent video games and cognitive restructuring on attitudes towards bullying behaviour, aggressive cognition, attitudes towards prosocial behaviour and state hostility. 181 young adults were randomly assigned to play a violent game (high vs. low cognitive restructuring) or a nonviolent game. Findings show that violent game play and cognitive restructuring had no effect on attitudes, but led to increased levels of aggressive cognition and state hostility. Contrary to expectation, under high cognitive restructuring conditions, males with high trait aggression had lower levels of aggressive cognition than those with low trait aggression.