Stop or Go? Playing Violent Games Reduces Inhibitory Control in Adolescents

Despite a growing body of research on video game effects, a relationship between violent video game exposure (VVGE) and inhibitory control is still poorly understood. Investigating inhibitory control mechanisms in relation to VVGE may help to better explain processes underlying social behavior of video game players. This holds especially for adolescent players, who often play M-rated violent video games, and whose ability to inhibit responses is still developing. In two studies performed in adolescent samples, we examined how habitual VVGE may be related to inhibitory control (Study 1; N = 150) and whether inhibitory control can be affected by 30-minute violent video gameplay (Study 2; N = 62). Inhibitory control in both studies was measured with a well-validated method: the Stop-Signal Task. Results of Study 1 showed that increased VVGE was related lower inhibitory control. Results of experimental Study 2 supported a causal relationship: participants who played a violent video game showed reduced inhibitory control compared to those who played a non-violent game. Our findings bring new theoretical and empirical insights into violent video games research and highlight the importance of studying inhibitory control as a possible mechanism underlying impulsive reactions, e.g., aggression, in adolescents. Based on the current correlational and experimental findings, future studies could investigate possible long-term effects of VVGE on the development of inhibitory control in adolescents.