The Effect of video game violence on physiological desensitization to real-life violence
Journal of Experimental Psychology, 2006
PDF - http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/faculty/caa/abstracts/2005-2009/06CAB.pdf
Nicholas L. Carnagey, Craig A. Anderson, Brad J. Bushman
"Past research shows that violent video game exposure increases aggressive thoughts, angry feelings, physiological arousal, aggressive behaviours, and decreases helpful behaviours. However, no research has experimentally examined violent video game effects on physiological
desensitisation, defined as showing less physiological arousal to violence in the real world after exposure to video game violence in the virtual world. This experiment attempts to fill this gap. Participants who previously played a violent video game demonstrated a physiological desensitisation to violence. Results are interpreted using an expanded version of the General Aggression Model. Links between desensitisation, antisocial, and prosocial behaviour are discussed."