A new study suggests that games that feature motion-controlled violent actions, like the Wii version of Manhunt 2 (above), don't affect players any differently than traditional violent games. Phew!
The study was conducted by Dr. Patrick Markey at Villanova University, and examined participants with varying levels of psychoticism, gauging their "hostility and aggressive thoughts" while playing Manhunt 2 or Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2008.
The 118 participants (68 female and 50 male college students) completed a measure of psychoticism before and immediately after playing one of the two games, with either motion controls or standard controls.
Published in Computers in Human Behavior, the study concludes that the use of motion controls did not exacerbate any of the perceived negative effects (aggression, hostility, etc.) that could result from playing violent video games. Swinging a Wiimote or mashing a button generated the same results.
The Wii's motion controls are a popular target for opponents of violent media, and Manhunt 2 ruffled quite a few feathers, particularly with claims that young children would be rehearsing violent moves, and converting them into real physical violence. This study weakens those conjectures, offering evidence that tossing in a bit of waggle isn't the recipe for creating a homicidal maniac.
Having elevated levels of psychoticism on the other hand, affected how players performed during the study. It notes that participants who showed higher levels of psychoticism during testing "were much more affected by violent video games than other participants."
Could it be that people who are predisposed to violence are susceptible to violent media, while the rest of us aren't likely to emulate our cherished murder simulators? Only time and research will prove that claim one way or the other, but science sure sounds a lot better than that "gut feeling" most pundits usually have.
Image: Rockstar
New Study: Wii Motion Controls Do Not Increase Negative Effects of Manhunt 2 [GamePolitics]
