@article{ref1,
title="The Hitman Study: violent video game exposure effects on aggressive behavior, hostile feelings, and depression",
journal="European psychologist",
year="2010",
author="Ferguson, Christopher J. and Rueda, Stephanie M.",
volume="15",
number="2",
pages="99-108",
abstract="This article explores commonly discussed theories of violent video game effects: the social learning, mood management, and catharsis hypotheses. An experimental study was carried out to examine violent video game effects. In this study, 103 young adults were given a frustration task and then randomized to play no game, a nonviolent game, a violent game with good versus evil theme (i.e., playing as a good character taking on evil), or a violent game in which they played as a &quot;bad guy.'' Results indicated that randomized video game play had no effect on aggressive behavior; real-life violent video game-playing history, however, was predictive of decreased hostile feelings and decreased depression following the frustration task. <br><br>RESULTS do not support a link between violent video games and aggressive behavior, but do suggest that violent games reduce depression and hostile feelings in players through mood management.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1016-9040",
doi="10.1027/1016-9040/a000010",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000010"
}