Aggression and Preference for First-Person Shooter and Action Games: Data From a Large-Scale Survey of German Gamers Aged 14 and Above

Abstract

Cross-sectional studies on video game violence and aggression have yielded contradictory results. Parts of this inconclusiveness can be attributed to the limitation to particular age groups. The present study investigated the relationship between preference for action and first-person shooter (FPS) games and aggression for the groups of adolescents (14–18), younger (19–39), and older adults (40+) in a sample of German gamers (N = 4,500). The strength of the association differed between age groups. Even after controlling for gender, education, social support, self-efficacy, and overall video game use, we found a significant relationship between preference for action and FPS games and physical aggression that was strongest for the adolescents. We found no such association for anger and verbal aggression. The results indicate that potential selection or socialization effects are likely to differ with age and that research on video games and aggression can benefit from the inclusion of more heterogeneous samples.

Keywords:

• Adolescents
• Aggression
• Computer Games
• Video Games

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Michael Scharkow for comments on drafts of this article.

Notes

Note. Pearson correlation coefficients. Multiple-group structural equation model with metric invariance between groups (equal factor loadings). MLM estimation, Satorra-Bentler scaled χ²(df = 380) = 622.2, p < .001, CFI = .98, SRMR = .02, RMSEA = .03.

*p ≤ .05, **p ≤ .01, ***p ≤ .001.

Note. Pearson correlation coefficients. Multiple-group structural equation model with metric invariance between groups (equal factor loadings). MLM estimation, Satorra-Bentler scaled χ²(df = 380) = 622.2, p < .001, CFI = .98, SRMR = .02, RMSEA = .03.

*p ≤ .05, **p ≤ .01, ***p ≤ .001.

Note. Means and 95% CIs. All aggression items were scored on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 (does not apply at all) to 5 (applies completely).

Note. Unstandardized and standardized regression coefficients. Multiple-group structural equation model with metric invariance between groups (equal factor loadings). MLM estimation, Satorra-Bentler scaled χ²(df = 380) = 622.2, p < .001, CFI = .98, SRMR = .02, RMSEA = .03.

*p ≤ .05, **p ≤ .01, ***p ≤ .001.

Note. Unstandardized and standardized regression coefficients. Multiple-group structural equation model with metric invariance between groups (equal factor loadings). MLM estimation, Satorra-Bentler scaled χ²(df = 380) = 622.2, p < .001, CFI = .98, SRMR = .02, RMSEA = .03.

*p ≤ .05, **p ≤ .01, ***p ≤ .001.

Note. Unstandardized and standardized regression coefficients. Multiple-group structural equation model with metric invariance between groups (equal factor loadings). MLM estimation, Satorra-Bentler scaled χ²(df = 380) = 622.2, p < .001, CFI = .98, SRMR = .02, RMSEA = .03.

*p ≤ .05, **p ≤ .01, ***p ≤ .001.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Johannes Breuer

Johannes Breuer (PhD, University of Cologne, 2013) is a research assistant in the Department of Communication at the University of Münster.

Ruth Festl

Ruth Festl (MA, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 2009) is a research assistant in the Department of Communication at the University of Hohenheim and the University of Münster.

Thorsten Quandt

Thorsten Quandt (PhD, Ilmenau University of Technology, 2004) is a professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Münster.