Emotion Recognition and Inhibitory Control in Adolescent Players of Violent Video Games

Ewa Miedzobrodzka, Elly A. Konijn, Lydia Krabbendam

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Developmental changes during adolescence may make youth susceptible to violent media effects. Two studies with male adolescents (N1 = 241; N2 = 161; aged 12–17) examined how habitual and short-term violent video gaming may affect emotion recognition and inhibitory control. We found that not habitual exposure to violent video games, but to antisocial media content predicted worse emotion recognition. Furthermore, higher habitual exposure to violent games predicted better inhibitory control over emotional stimuli in a stop signal task. However, short-term causal effects of violent gameplay on adolescents were not found. While these results do not indicate a negative impact of violent video games on young players, future research may further investigate possible effects of antisocial media content on adolescents.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1404-1420
JournalJournal of Research on Adolescence
Volume32
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • emotion recognition
  • inhibitory control
  • adolescents
  • video games
  • Media violence

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