A recent study conducted by scientific journal ‘Evolution and Human Behavior’ has discovered evidence that multiplayer gamers show increased aggression towards strangers when playing online, while usually maintaining a playful attitude towards their friends.<\/p>\n
Anyone who plays regularly online against a mix of strangers and friends will most probably agree with the findings. When being ‘spawn-camped’ by a friend gamers usually react with minor irritation and playful banter, however, when a stranger does the same thing players are likely to show serious aggression.
The test took 42 gamers, a mixture between friends and strangers, and divided them into 14 teams of 3. They went head to head in rounds of Unreal Tournament 2004 deathmatch. Testosterone and cortisol levels where measured before and after competing against friends. The same procedure was then followed again except with players taking on strangers. After competing against strangers, players showed heightened testosterone levels.<\/p>\n
While the findings will hardly come as a surprise, they lend insight to psychologists who now feel they have a better understanding of why men in particular love playing violent video games.<\/p>\n
“We suggest that violent video games appeal to young men because the games tap their evolved motivation to engage in male–male competition and engage the same systems that evolved to allow them to engage in military and political strategizing,” noted the research report.<\/p>\n
“The corresponding hypothesis–men will show the testosterone winner effect found with meaningful male–male competition–was partially supported for the between-group tournaments.”<\/p>\n
The findings show that our desire to play video games is linked to ancient evolutionary prerogative desires which have enabled humans to survive and become the most dominant species on earth.<\/p>\n