Applied Developmental Psychology 24 (2003) 413–436 Playing violent video games, desensitization, and moral evaluation in children Jeanne B. Funka,*, Debra D. Buchmanb, Jennifer Jenksa, Heidi Bechtoldta aDepartment of Psychology, University of Toledo, 2801 West Bancroft, Toledo, OH 43606, USA bSchool of Nursing, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, OH, USA Abstract Relationships between short- and long-term exposure to violent video games and desensitization, as measured through components of moral evaluation, were examined. Sixty-six children aged 5–12 years old completed questionnaires assessing video game experience and preferences and empathy and attitudes toward violence. The children played a violent or nonviolent video game and then responded to vignettes about everyday occurrences. Vignette responses were coded for aggression and empathy. Preexisting empathy and attitudes towards violence were positively related to the corresponding vignette scores. Long-term exposure to violent video games contributed to lower empathy vignette scores. Playing a violent versus a nonviolent game did not affect vignette responses. Results suggest that long-term exposure to violent video games may be associated with desensitization as reflected in lower empathy, although the direction of causality remains unclear. D 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Keywords: Children; Video games; Violence; Moral development; Desensitization 1. Introduction Interactive media, such as video and computer games, have redefined children’s leisure activities. These widely available games may be played on dedicated console systems, any computer and over the Internet, handheld devices, and various technology toys. The term video game will be used to refer to electronically controlled games played on any platform. * Corresponding author. E-mail address:
[email protected] (J.B.