effects of computer games

• images of aggression and violence frequently appear in the media

  media- tv, films

  computer games- played onscreen using a keyboard etc role-play, violent
• experimental studies

  bartholow and Anderson

  lab based

  students either played violent or non violent game for 10 min

  then carried out reaction time test

  the winner play loud sound into opponents ears

  those who played violent game selected higher noise levels than those with non-violent
• evaluation experimental study

  allow for cause and effect because variables are controlled

  unethical in real life- lab studies help achieve studies but lack ecological validity

  unrealistic- no fear or retaliation
• correlational studies

  DeLisi et al

  227 offenders with history of aggressive behaviours

  used structured interviews

  found those with high aggressive behaviours spent more time on computer games
• evaluation correlational

  allow to investigate real forms of aggression

  no cause and effect

  no random allocation- conditions already exist e.g being an offender

  no variables are controlled
• longitudinal study

  robertson et al

  see if there was a link between excessive tv viewing in childhood and aggressive behaviour in adulthood

  1037 people measured tv viewing hours up to aged 26

  found

  those who spent longer watching tv more likely yo be diagnosed with anti-social personality disorder and increase aggressive behaviour
• evaluation of longitudinal

  helps establish over time and the effects

  views people as active consumers rather than just participants

  confounding variables

  hard to sperate other personal differences e.g lifestyle, role models not just tv
• meta analysis

  Anderson

  136 studies

  found that exposure to violent computer games was associated with increases in aggressive behaviours
• evaluation meta analysis

  allows data to be viewed more confidence

  only the significant studies?

  causing bias of the conclusions affecting the studies validity