Keywords
video games, aggression, prosocial behavior, cooperative gameplay
Abstract
Over a quarter of the world’s population spends an average of 5.96 hours a week gaming. The top ten most played games are either exclusively multiplayer or have a multiplayer option, with 70% containing violent content. Despite the prevalence of multiplayer gaming, most video game research has been focused on single player modes. Video game aversion is based on this single player research. There is a general lack of awareness of the effects of cooperative video game play. The majority of the literature on the effects of cooperative game play on aggression and prosocial behavior shows that, when played cooperatively, video games, regardless of content, have little or no effect on aggression or prosocial behavior. It is indicated that, playing video games cooperatively may reduce aggressive behavior and increase prosocial behavior. Given that there is relatively little research into cooperative video games as compared to violent video game research, more research is necessary.
Recommended Citation
Furse, Ariqua M.
(2019)
"The Effects of Cooperative Gameplay on Aggression and Prosocial Behavior,"
Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology: Vol. 14:
Iss.
1, Article 5.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/intuition/vol14/iss1/5