EXPLORING FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR IN ADOLESCENTS by ...

276 Pages·2011·1.31 MB·English

EXPLORING FACTORS ASSOCIATED
WITH AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR IN
ADOLESCENTS

by

HANNAH LOUISE GODDARD
2010

A thesis submitted as part of the Doctorate in Forensic Psychology Practice (ForenPsyD)
Submitted to the Centre for Forensic and Criminological Psychology
School of Psychology
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
University of Birmingham Research Archive

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Abstract

This thesis examines the factors associated with aggressive behaviour in adolescents. It
contains an introduction to the thesis. Chapter one contains a systematic literature review
investigating the relationship between video game violence and aggressive behaviours in
adolescents. The results of the review indicate that there is some evidence to suggest a
link exists between exposure to violent video games and aggressive behaviour. However,
this review also indicated that there were inconsistencies between studies and several
methodological limitations of these, thereby, identifying gaps in the literature. Chapter
two contains a piece of empirical research examining the relationship between exposure
to violence in video games and aggressive behaviours in a sample of adolescents. Further,
it explored possible mediators and moderators of this relationship; namely hostile
attribution bias, empathy and exposure to violence in real life. The results of this research
found a relationship between exposure to violence in video games and aggressive
behaviour. In addition, this study found that hostile attribution bias, empathy and
exposure to real life violence moderated this relationship. Chapter three is a case study
describing the psychological assessment, formulation and planned intervention with a
young person presenting with aggressive behaviours. A number of treatment
considerations and potential obstacles to treatment with this population are discussed.
Chapter four consists of a critical review of the Psychological Inventory of Criminal
Thinking Styles (Version 3.0) which was used in the case study presented in chapter
three. This review examines reported reliability and validity data for the measure as well
as its limitations. Finally, implications of this thesis are discussed in chapter five.

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Dedication

This thesis is dedicated to my parents, John and Suzanne Goddard; without their
continued support and enthusiasm, the production of this thesis would not have been
possible.

Acknowledgements

This thesis took a considerable amount of time, energy and team work. As a result, I
would like to recognise those who helped with this endeavour. First, I would like to thank
Dr. Louise Dixon and Dr. Jessica Woodhams, my academic supervisors, who helped
immensely with suggestions, constructive criticism and support at every stage of the
project. I would also like to thank the Forensic Psychology department administrative
staff members, Sue Hanson and Stella Briggs, who go above and beyond the call of duty
and have helped me in countless ways. I must also acknowledge my family for their
continued support. Finally, I am grateful to the institutions for allowing me access to their
services and the adolescents whose participation made this project possible.

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Contents

Abstract ……………………………………………………………………… ii

Dedication …………………………………………………………………… iii

Acknowledgements ………………………………………………………….. iii

Contents ……………………………………………………………………... iv

List of Appendices …………………………………………………………... vi

List of Tables ………………………………………………………………... vii

List of Figures ……………………………………………………………….. ix

Introduction …………………………………………………………………. 1

Chapter 1: Violent video game exposure and aggressive behaviours: A systematic
literature review…………………………………………...……… 9

Abstract ……………………………………………………….. 10

Background …………………………………………………… 11

Method ………………………………………………………... 27

Results ………………………………………………………… 41

Discussion …………………………………………………….. 67

Chapter 2: A study exploring the effects of exposure to video game violence on
adolescents’ aggressive behaviours and factors which mediate and
moderate the relationship……………………………………….. 74

Abstract………………………………………………………... 75

Introduction……………………………………………………. 77

Method………………………………………………………… 88

Results…………………………………………………………. 101

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Discussion……………………………………………………... 108

Chapter 3: A case study of an adolescent presenting with aggressive
behaviours……………………………………………………….. 115

Ethical Considerations…………………………………………. 116

Abstract……………………………………………………..…. 117

Introduction……………………………………………………. 118

General Information………………………………………….... 131

Client Details………………………………………………....... 134

Assessment…………………………………………………….. 138

Intervention……………………………………………………. 164

Discussion……………………………………………………... 166

Chapter 4: Critique of a psychometric assessment: The Psychological Inventory of
Criminal Thinking Styles (Version 3.0)……………………….. 173

Introduction……………………………………………………. 174

Overview…..…………………………………………………... 175

Psychometric Properties ....……………………………………. 179

Limitations .…………………………………………………… 186

Conclusions .…………………………………………………... 188

Chapter 5: Discussion ………………………………………………………. 189

References.…………………………………………………………………... 197

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List of Appendices

Appendix A: Syntax used to search electronic databases……………………. 250

Appendix B: Methodological problems associated with previous
research………………………………………………………... 253

Appendix C: Quality assessment form (correlational studies)...…………….. 254

Appendix D: Quality assessment form (experimental studies)...…………….. 257

Appendix E: Quality assessment form (longitudinal studies)…………...… 260

Appendix F: Data extraction form………………………………………....... 263

Appendix G: Offence categories as defined by Roe and Ashe (2008)………. 267

Appendix H: Information sheet for institutions ……………………………... 268

Appendix I: Consent form for institutions …………………………………. 271

Appendix J: Participant information sheet ………………………………… 272

Appendix K: Participant consent form…………………………………….. 275

Appendix L: Questionnaire ………………………………………………… 276

Appendix M: Games rating form…………………………………………….. 295

Appendix N: Scatter plots……………………………………………………. 297

Appendix O: Case study consent form…………………………………….. 301

Appendix P: Session plans ………………………………………………… 302

Appendix Q: Worksheets …………………………………………………... 307

Appendix R: Evaluation form ……………………………………………..... 322

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List of Tables

Table 1: Video game categories with descriptions ………………………….. 13

Table 2: Theories to explain the effects of violent video games …………….. 17

Table 3: Mechanisms to explain the impact of violent video games ………... 19

Table 4: Inclusion/exclusion criteria…………………………………………. 29

Table 5: Strength, limitations and quality assessment scores of included 35

studies ……………………………………………………………….

Table 6: Participant information …………………………………………….. 42

Table 7: Characteristics of included studies …………………………………. 44

Table 8: Comparison of study type, quality and outcome…………………… 63

Table 9: Demographic information and differences between groups………... 89

Table 10: Test for normality……………………………………………….. 97

Table 11: Correlations between main study variables………………………. 98

Table 12: Descriptive analysis of study variables……………………………. 102

Table 13: Regression analysis examining the mediating effects of hostile

attribution bias and empathy on exposure to video game violence

predicting aggressive behaviour………………………………… 103

Table 14: Regression analysis examining the moderating effects of hostile

attribution bias on exposure to video game violence predicting

aggressive behaviour ……………………………………………... 104

Table 15: Regression analysis examining the moderating effects of empathy

on exposure to video game violence predicting aggressive

behaviour ………………..………………………………………... 105

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Table 16: Regression analysis examining the moderating effects of exposure

to real life violence on exposure to video game violence

predicting aggressive behaviour ……………...…………………... 106

Table 17: X’s PICTS scores …………………………………………………. 143

Table 18: X’s STAXI-2 scores ………………………………………………. 147

Table 19: X’s NAS scores …………………………………………………… 150

Table 20: X’s CFSEI-2 scores ………………………………………………. 155

Table 21: SORCK analysis of X’s aggressive behaviour …………………… 158

Table 22: Descriptions of the PICTS scales …………………………………. 175

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List of Figures

Figure 1: The General Aggression Model: Overall view ……………………. 22

Figure 2: Flowchart of selection process ……………………………………. 32

Figure 3: Diagram of the moderator model...………………………………... 99

Figure 4: Timeline of X’s life...……………………………………………… 139

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