Read the full paper at: http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=49551 DOI: 10.4236/psych.2014.513159 Author(s) Yoshiyuki Tamamiya, Goh Matsuda, Kazuo Hiraki Affiliation(s) Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. ABSTRACT The current study examined the long-term effects of video game violence on aggressiveness and facial expression recognition using multiple measures. In Experiment 1, participants unfamiliar with video games were randomly assigned to play a violent or nonviolent video game for four weeks. Before and after the game play interval, event-related potentials (ERP) evoked by facial expressions were recorded, and aggressiveness was measured with a questionnaire. Results showed that playing a violent video game delayed peak latency of a positive component of the ERP evoked by angry faces and increased aggressiveness among male participants. Experiment 2 included a 3-month follow-up assessment. Results showed preservation of delayed neural activity, while levels of aggressiveness diminished to some extent. These findings highlight differential aspects regarding the long-term effects of playing a violent video game: more enduring for facial expression recognition and short-lived for aggressiveness. KEYWORDS Violent Media, Facial Expression Recognition, Aggression, Event-Related Potential (ERP) gjreww140912
