Good clean fun? A content analysis of profanity in video games and its prevalence across game systems and ratings.

Full Abstract

Although violent video game content and its effects have been examined extensively by empirical research, verbal aggression in the form of profanity has received less attention. Building on preliminary findings from previous studies, an extensive content analysis of profanity in video games was conducted using a sample of the 150 top-selling video games across all popular game platforms (including home consoles, portable consoles, and personal computers). The frequency of profanity, both in general and across three profanity categories, was measured and compared to games' ratings, sales, and platforms. Generally, profanity was found in about one in five games and appeared primarily in games rated for teenagers or above. Games containing profanity, however, tended to contain it frequently. Profanity was not found to be related to games' sales or platforms.

Author information

Author/s: Ivory, James D (JD); Williams, Dmitri (D); Martins, Nicole (N); Consalvo, Mia (M);

Affiliation: Department of Communication, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA. jivory(-atsign-)vt.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Cyberpsychology & behavior : the impact of the Internet, multimedia and virtual reality on behavior and society (Cyberpsychol Behav), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Aug; vol 12 (issue 4) : pp 457-60

Dates: Created 2009/07/27; Completed 2009/10/26;

PMID: 19514818, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/26/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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