Abstract:
The purpose of this survey research was to investigate the relationship between
playing video games and aggression. The samples were 420 junior high school
students who liked to play video games in game centers. The data were collected by
self-administrated questionnaire in March 2003. Statistical analysis used were mean,
percentage and Chi Square.
Results revealed that the variable that related to aggression, were male gender,
possession of a video game machine, playing video games alone, playing video
games in arcade centers and playing violent games.
The variable of average time spent playing video games daily and of the period
of time over which the child has been playing video games do not relate to
aggression.
From the research, the writer suggests that parents who buy the video game
machines for their children shouldn’t let them play alone. They should encourage
them to play together, as one of the activities within the family. They should help
them to choose appropriate games and protect them from highly violent games
especially, if the child is male. Aggression seems more easily aroused in males.
As for playing the game outside the home, parents shouldn’t let children play
alone particularly in arcade centers, because the games in arcade centers are mostly
classified as highly violent games and are not suitable for children