Graduation Year
2014
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.A.
Degree Name
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Degree Granting Department
Mass Communications
Major Professor
Scott Liu, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Jameson Hayes, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Kelly Werder, Ph.D.
Keywords
Desensitization, Emotion, Empathy, External Validity, Focus Groups, Internal Validity
Abstract
This qualitative focus groups analysis examines the harmful effects of violent video games on emotions and behavior by comparing violent video game player's responses to that of non-violent video game players of the same age group. Research on the effects of video games has been done since the 70s, yet more research is needed to better understand the potentially harmful emotional and behavioral effects of playing violent games, especially from the gamers' perspectives. This thesis presents a qualitative analysis of data obtained from focus group sessions among undergraduate college students. Results of the analysis supports the presence as well as absence of violent video game effects, according to violent and non-violent video gamers' personal experiences and in their own words.
Scholar Commons Citation
Kneifer, Christopher John, "A Comparison Study on Violent Video Games: Explained by the Gamers Themselves" (2014). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/5250
