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Failure increases aggression among video game players

Aggressive behavior is related to electronic game players’ feelings of failure and frustration during play, not to a game’s violent content, according to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Andrew K. Przybylski, PhD, of the Oxford Internet Institute at the University of Oxford, and colleagues conducted seven studies to explore how computer games that challenged players’ competence influenced aggression. Overall, the study cohorts consisted of about 600 undergraduate students, according to a press release.

Researchers found playing a violent game had an indirect effect on aggression if its complicated interface induced feelings of incompetence. Even nonviolent games encouraged aggressive thoughts and feelings if they thwarted players’ motivation in some way. Those who could not master game controls experienced feelings of aggression as well.

Gaming had a direct effect on players’ feelings of competence and satisfaction. If a player felt satisfied, they were less likely to exhibit aggression. Participants who felt incompetent were reportedly more willing to physically punish others.

Feelings of enjoyment were positively related to player competence and negatively to player aggression.

Overall, the study findings indicated games that undermined the basic human need for understanding or competence were associated with aggressive feelings and behaviors, regardless of whether the game content was violent.

“When the experience involves threats to our ego, it can cause us to be hostile and mean to others,” study researcher Richard M. Ryan, PhD, of the University of Rochester, said in a press release.

Disclosure: See the study for a complete list of relevant financial disclosures.