| OCR Text |
Show U study reveals insights into effects of games on aggresive behavior SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- Participation in competitive games can lead to aggressive, violent behavior in children, a group of clinical psychologists from the University of Utah reported Thursday at the bi-annual meeting of the Society for Research and Child Development. In a series of experiments conducted with 96 elementary school students in Salt Lake City, the psychologists observed a marked increase in aggression among children who were frustrated after losing in competitive games. Dr. Donna M. Gelfand, assoicate professor of psychology who presented the paper for the Utah team, said the research was conducted in a trailer equipped with rooms divided by one-way mirrors. Pairs of children - aged five and six - watched a college student "aggress" an inflated plastic clown with a club. After three minutes the model left the room, and the children participated with the psychologist in miniature bowling and "strength-meter" games, in which the winners and losers had been predetermined. Following the controlled games, the children were observed in a "free-play" session in a room containing the clown and numerous other aggressive and non-aggressive toys. "The findings of the study provide evidence that competition-induced frustration increases aggression in children, especially boys," she said. "The demonstrated aggression-eliciting effect of competition is contrary to the predictions of many theorists who advocate participation in sports and other competition as a means of reducing 'aggressive drive,' " according to Dr. Gelfand. |
