Prosocial Video Games Decrease Aggressive Cognition and Aggressive Behavior in Young Chinese Children

In this study, we aimed to examine how playing a prosocial video game (PVG) versus a neutral video game (NVG) consistently influences aggressive cognition and behavior. Participants were 208 children (<i>M</i>_age = 4.82, <i>SD</i> = 0.73) nominated as aggressive by teachers and peers from two urban kindergartens in Southwest China. Half of them were assigned to play either a PVG or an NVG for 15 min per day for five consecutive days. Results showed that repeated exposure of children to PVG (vs. NVG) decreased aggressive cognition and behavior. Specifically, male participants displayed less aggressive cognition and behavior than female participants in the PVG condition. Moderated mediation analysis revealed that the effect of PVG on aggressive behavior is partially mediated by aggressive cognition, and the moderating effect of aggression, in its various manifestations, occurred only in boys, not in girls.