UNDERSTANDING MEDIA VIOLENCE FROM A ROLE-PLAY PERSPECTIVE Effects of Various Types of Violent Video Games on Players' Cognitive Aggression

In this study I investigated the effects of depicted character roles and wishful identification with the main character on aggression and game enjoyment among players in violent video games. The results (n = 36) showed that character roles (e.g., the police, gangster, and athlete) did not have any significant effect on post-game aggression. However, there was a significant association among depicted character roles, wishful identification, and game enjoyment. Implications in terms of the level of aggression, identification with the game character, and game enjoyment are discussed.