NCT03445156

Brief Summary

The present research tests the effects of violent shooting games on behavior within the game (Pilot Study) and on behavior after the game is turned off (Experiment Proper). The Experiment Proper is an exact replication of a previous study conducted in our lab that was retracted (see citation), but with a larger sample to get more reliable results (N=287 rather than N=151).

Trial Health

100
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
327

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Feb 2016

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

February 1, 2016

Completed
3 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

April 25, 2016

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

April 25, 2016

Completed
1.8 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

February 20, 2018

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 26, 2018

Completed
1.4 years until next milestone

Results Posted

Study results publicly available

August 5, 2019

Completed
Last Updated

August 5, 2019

Status Verified

June 1, 2019

Enrollment Period

3 months

First QC Date

February 20, 2018

Results QC Date

August 11, 2018

Last Update Submit

June 25, 2019

Conditions

Gun Shot Wound

Keywords

First-person shooter (FPS)Violent video gameHeadshotGunOperant conditioning theory

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Hits to Head and Face

    In the Pilot Study, we counted hits to the head and face for targets within the game. In the Experiment Proper, we counted hits to the head and face of the mannequin.

    Up to one hour

  • Other Hits

    In the Pilot Study, we counted other hits to targets (i.e. not to a face) within the game. In the Experiment Proper, we counted other hits to the mannequin (i.e., torso instead of the head).

    Up to one hour

Study Arms (2)

Pilot Study

EXPERIMENTAL

After giving their consent, participants completed a survey. Next, they were randomly assigned to play either a violent First-Person-Shooter video game or a nonviolent shooting video game for 20 minutes. Video game play was recorded. A debriefing followed.

Behavioral: Video gameBehavioral: Controller

Experiment Proper

EXPERIMENTAL

After giving their consent, participants completed a survey. Next, they were randomly assigned to play either a violent First-Person-Shooter video game, a nonviolent shooting video game, or a nonviolent non-shooting video game for 20 minutes. Next, they shot a training pistol at a mannequin 20 feet (6.1 meters) away using 16 Velcro "bullets." A debriefing followed.

Behavioral: Video gameBehavioral: Controller

Interventions

Video gameBEHAVIORAL

Participants played either a violent shooting game or nonviolent shooting game in the pilot study, and either either a violent shooting game, nonviolent shooting game, or nonviolent non-shooting game in the experiment proper.

Experiment ProperPilot Study
ControllerBEHAVIORAL

Participants used either a gun-shaped or regular controller to play the violent and nonviolent shooting video games.

Experiment ProperPilot Study

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 46 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • and older
  • Ohio State participant pool

You may not qualify if:

  • Under age 18

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Related Publications (1)

  • Whitaker, J. L., & Bushman, B. J. (2014). "Boom, Headshot!": Effect of violent video game play and controller type on firing aim and accuracy. Communication Research, 41(7), 879-891. doi:10.1177/0093650212446622

    BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Wounds, Gunshot

Interventions

CDK13 protein, human

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Wounds, PenetratingWounds and Injuries

Results Point of Contact

Title
Dr. Brad Bushman
Organization
The Ohio State University
bushman.20@osu.edu
614-688-8779

Publication Agreements

PI is Sponsor Employee
Yes

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
BASIC SCIENCE
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: 2 (controller type) x 3 (video game type) factorial design. Participants used either a regular or gun shaped controller while playing a non-shooting, non-humanoid shooting, or humanoid shooting game.
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

February 20, 2018

First Posted

February 26, 2018

Study Start

February 1, 2016

Primary Completion

April 25, 2016

Study Completion

April 25, 2016

Last Updated

August 5, 2019

Results First Posted

August 5, 2019

Record last verified: 2019-06

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

After the manuscript is accepted, data will be uploaded to Figshare.com

Time Frame
Following acceptance of manuscript.
Access Criteria
Open to public domain.