Citation

Ivory AH, Kaestle CE. J. Broadcast. Electron. Media 2013; 57(2): 224-241.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Broadcast Education Association, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/08838151.2013.787078

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Although effects of violence in video games have been researched extensively, no empirical studies have examined effects of profanity, a form of verbal aggression, in video games. An experiment (N = 321) investigated effects of profanity used by protagonist and antagonist characters in a first-person shooter game on players' hostile expectations, accessibility of aggressive thoughts, aggressive feelings, and other responses. Profanity used by both protagonist and antagonist characters increased hostile expectations, a direct precursor to aggressive behaviors.

FINDINGS suggest that profanity in video games may affect aggressive outcomes, emphasizing the need for more research investigating effects of profanity in media.

Language: en