In this study, we examined how playing a violent video game affected aggressive cognition and aggressive behavior. A total of 300 children (Mage = 6.38, SD = 0.25) were randomly recruited to play a violent or a nonviolent video game. Results revealed that briefly exposing children to a violent video game increased aggressive cognition and aggressive behavior. In addition, a significant game × sex interaction showed that this effect was larger for boys than for girls. Mediational pathways were found such that aggressive cognition mediated the relationship between violent video games and aggressive behavior, especially for boys. Findings were interpreted within and supported the framework of the general aggression model. Violent video game effects remain a societal concern, and boys should be regarded as a special group for aggression intervention.
Keywords: aggressive behavior; aggressive cognition; children; violent video games.