Jay G. Hull, professor of psychological and brain sciences and chair of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, led the study, entitled “A Longitudinal Study of Risk-Glorifying Video Games and Reckless Driving,” published by Psychology of Popular Media Culture.
According to Live Science, the researchers surveyed more than 5,000 U.S. teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 over a period of four years about their exposure to mature-rated video games. According to the research, the article notes, teens who played mature-rated, risk-glorifying video games self-reported higher instances of risky driving as well as increased tendencies for rebelliousness and thrill-seeking.
The article points to a statement made by Hull to the American Psychological Association: “Playing these kinds of video games could also result in these adolescents developing personalities that reflect the risk-taking, rebellious characters they enact in the games and that could have broader consequences that apply to other risky behaviors such as drinking and smoking,” he says.
Read the full story, published 9/11/12 by Live Science.