Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Für immer mehr Menschen gehören Computerspiele fest zur Freizeitgestaltung. Obgleich Computerspiele faszinieren können, werden unterschiedliche Risiken ihrer exzessiven Nutzung diskutiert.
Fragestellung
Eine kontrovers diskutierte Frage ist, ob gewaltvolle Computerspiele selbst auch aggressiv machen und ein gesellschaftliches Risiko darstellen.
Methode
Im Rahmen dieses narrativen Reviews werden Ergebnisse unterschiedlicher Forschungsansätze diskutiert.
Ergebnisse
Korrelative Feldstudien zeigten einen Zusammenhang zwischen aggressiven Persönlichkeitseigenschaften und der häufigen Nutzung von gewaltvollen Computerspielen. Experimentelle Laborstudien fanden oftmals einen Zusammenhang zwischen der Nutzung von gewaltvollen Spielen und aggressiven Gedanken, jedoch weniger aggressivem Verhalten. Konträr hierzu wird eine aggressionsregulierende Wirkung von Computerspielen im Sinne eines Mood-Managements diskutiert. In Längsschnittstudien fanden sich sehr widersprüchliche Befunde. Ähnlich waren auch die Befunde aus systematischen Übersichtsarbeiten, die allenfalls geringe Assoziationen zwischen gewaltvollen Computerspielen und insbesondere aggressiven Gedanken zeigten, wobei die Güte der Einzelstudien oft kritisiert wurde.
Diskussion
Zusammenfassend ergibt sich ein inkonsistentes Bild aus teilweisen widersprüchlichen Ergebnissen. Während klare korrelative Zusammenhänge zwischen Aggressivität und gewalttätigen Computerspielen festgestellt wurden, ist die Kausalität noch nicht mit Sicherheit beantwortet. Die Annahme, dass gewalttätige Computerspiele direkt für gewalttätiges Verhalten verantwortlich sind, scheint derzeit nicht ausreichend belegbar zu sein.
Abstract
Background
Computer games are becoming increasingly more common as a form of leisure activity. While these games can be captivating, there are concerns about the potential risks associated with excessive use.
Objective
A controversially discussed question is whether violent computer games directly contribute to increased aggression in individuals, thus posing a risk to society.
Method
In this narrative review the results of different research approaches are discussed.
Results
Correlational field studies have reported a positive association between aggressive personality traits and the frequent use of violent computer games. Experimental laboratory studies have often found a positive correlation between the extent of violent game use and aggressive thoughts, but weaker effects on aggressive behavior. In contrast, there is discussion about the potential for computer games to regulate aggression in the sense of managing moods; however, longitudinal studies have yielded contradictory findings. The results of systematic reviews were also similar, which have shown weak correlations at best between violent computer games and in particular aggressive thoughts, whereby the quality of the individual studies was often criticized.
Discussion
In summary, the existing body of research presents an inconsistent picture, characterized by partially contradictory results. While some studies have found significant correlations between aggressiveness and exposure to violent video games, the question of causality has not yet been answered with certainty. The assumption that violent computer games are directly responsible for violent behavior appears to lack sufficient empirical support at present.
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J. Dieris-Hirche ist Mitglied im Fachverband Medienabhängigkeit e. V. und erhielt Fördergelder vom Innovationsfonds des G‑BA Deutschland zur Durchführung einer Versorgungsforschungsstudie über die onlinebasierte Behandlung von Menschen mit Internetnutzungsstörungen. Darüber hinaus bestehen keine Interessenkonflikte, insbesondere erhielt der Autor keinerlei Förderung durch die Computerspielindustrie.
Für diesen Beitrag wurden vom Autor keine Studien an Menschen oder Tieren durchgeführt. Für die aufgeführten Studien gelten die jeweils dort angegebenen ethischen Richtlinien.
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Dieris-Hirche, J. Machen Computerspiele aggressiv?. Psychotherapie 68, 340–346 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00278-023-00670-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00278-023-00670-w