Interestingly, kids in (collectivist) Japan play more violent video games than do American kids, yet are less aggressive. Moreover, exposing Japanese kids to media violence boosts aggression less than in American kids.56 Why the difference? Three possible contributing factors: (a) American kids play alone more often, a lone-wolf breeding ground; (b) Japanese kids rarely have a computer or TV in their bedroom, so they play near their parents; (c) Japanese video-game violence is more likely to have prosocial, collectivist themes.
