THE EFFECTS OF HORROR GAMES IN THIRD YEAR FEMALE STUDENTS’ SLEEPING BEHAVIORSResearchers: Alexandra Mondares Timothy John Bautista Mary Angeline De Angel Ciara Francesca Oliveros Patricia Anne De Guzman Jechonias Dimaano John Lorenz Carrillo ABSTRACT The study was conducted to determine the possible sleeping behavior in Third year female high school students. The objectives of the study is to inform and to provide awareness to the people with regards in the effects of playing horror games to one’s sleeping behavior. Instruments such as questionnaires are used to collect valid facts and information like experiences with regards to the topic. Thirteen Third year female students of St. Clare Science High School (SCSHS) were chosen to be the respondents by two sampling techniques: Purposive and Random Sampling. Statistical treatment of the data was shown through the use of line graphs and interpretations. Conclusions were formed based on the results obtained. Lastly, Researchers made recommendations for the next further research in line with this. CHAPTER ONE I. Rationale “One of the most frequent and compelling images in the horror game repertoire is that of the wide, staring eyes of some victim, expressing stark terror or disbelief and attesting to an ultimate threat to the human proposition” This quotation that can be found in the book, Carroll 7, p. 243 n. 45 triggered the researchers to conduct this study. Moreover, Zillman’s Disposition Theory, which states that, in a necessary condition for suspense is that the viewers witness the conflicting forces making experiential states of each person to change into actual fear or hope, makes the idea of this study more interesting for the researchers. II. Statement of the Problem The researchers sought to answer the following problems: 1. What is the common horror game for the students? 2. What makes the horror games distractive and scary? 3. What are the effects of these games in their sleeping behavior? III. Scope & Delimitation Researchers conducted the study on November 2009 up to February 2010 at 3rd Year – Archimedes’ classroom in St. Clare Science High School. In order to focus on the study, questionnaires are distributed to the 13 female 3rd year students between ages 14 to 16. Answers are controlled by tallies and line graphs and that lead to the effects of the horror games to the sleeping behavior of every person. IV. Significance of the Study The significance of awareness to the people the who study love is to inform play and provide games. to horror Researchers consider the effects of these horror games that can affect one’s sleeping behavior. In addition, this study pertains to know the actions done by the students whenever distracted or scared. CHAPTER TWO Review of Related Literature In a related reading, The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that exposure to violence in media, including television, movies, music and video games, and news programs is a significant risk to the health of children and adolescents. Some consequences to children are aggressive behavior, desensitization to violence, nightmares and fear of being harmed. This is according to a policy statement of United States of America in Pediatrics Volume 108 No. 5 November 2001, pp. 1222-1226. Furthermore, in ScienceDaily (Oct. 31, 2006) - Dr. Daniel S. Schechter of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and the New York State Psychiatric Institute stated that “There have even been cases of violence in the home that followed children playing violent video games. Very young children are unable to distinguish between reality and fantasy.” With this article, a study concluded that video games, perhaps as a way of feeling a sense of control in the present over very frightening memories of out-of-control experiences while this phenomenon deserves further study, it may also be explained by an evolutionary impulse to warn their children of the dangers that they had faced in the world. November 14th 2008, the Researchers from Stockholm University, Uppsala University and Karolinska Institute in Sweden conducted a study which published a scientific journal, Acta Paediatrica that describes how heart rate and sleep in boys are affected by violent video games. The results show that the autonomous nerve system, and thereby central physiological systems in the body, can be affected when you play violent games without your being aware of it. The important about this study is that the researchers have found a way, on the one hand, to study what happens physiologically when you play video or computer games and, on the other hand, to discern the effects of various types of games. In another related study entitled “Does playing violent video games make players aggressive?”,it is possible that certain types of video game could affect emotions, views, behavior, and attitudes. This was stated by Patrick Kierkegaard of the University of Essex, England. Moreover, another professor, Akio Mori of Tokyo's Nihon University, conducted a recent study observing the effects of video games on brain activity. Answering this question, Mori commented that “Many video games stir up tension and a feeling of fear and there is a very real concern that this could have a long-term effect on the autonomic nerves. Autonomic nerves are those connected with involuntary internal organ processes, such as breathing and heart rate. "Heart rate can be altered by electrical signals from emotional centers in the brain or by signals from the chemical messengers called epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine. These hormones are released from the adrenal glands in response to danger. Video games can significantly increase heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption. If studies show that heart rate is increased when playing video games, then it seems that the brain is responding to the video game as if the body is in real danger.” From the observations and study above, video games do effect the players in some ways, since it appears that players get so wrapped up in the game that they forget their surroundings and begin to see the game as a real quest. Studies have shown that playing video games can increase heart rate and blood pressure, as well as decrease prefrontal lobe activity while the person is playing the game. CHAPTER THREE I. Research Design The research employed a descriptive and survey design. Researchers have used questionnaires to know the possible extent of the sleeping behavior of St. Clare Science High School Third year female students with regards in playing horror games. A statistical treatment of the data gathered is illustrated through the use of line graphs. II. Research Locale The present study is conducted inside the building of St. Clare Science High School. Researchers chose the class of Third Year – Archimedes, School year 2009-2010 wherein, there are 17 girls and 12 boys. III. Samples and Sampling Technique The respondents were chosen by purposive and random sampling. Researchers believed that the best respondents for this study are teenagers including the third year students who would likely provide sufficient information. For Random Sampling, the criterion includes: Third Year student Female student 14 to 16 years old IV. Instrumentation The primary data gathering technique which the researchers used is the Structural questionnaires. Researchers considered the experiences of the respondents as the dependent variable. V. Procedure In starting the research, each of the respondents selected through two sampling techniques: Purposive and Random Sampling, was given a structural questionnaire, containing nine questions. These were collected for the needed information. Furthermore, scoring was done by tallying the results according to the chosen letters that suit the respondents’ answers for each the questions. Line Graphs and interpretations were drawn for easier understanding and to form conclusions. CHAPTER FOUR Graphs and Interpretations a. Number of the Respondents 10 8 6 4 2 0 A B C D Letters of Choices Thoughts of the respondents about Horror games According to this graph, most of the respondents thought that horror games are scary but one said it’s funny. b. 12 Number of the Respondents 10 8 6 4 2 0 A B C D Letters of Choices Common horror games played by the respondents Respondents commonly play horror games that can be accessed through internet than PSP, PS2 and XBOX games. Playing time of the respondents with horror games 8 Number of the Respondents 6 4 2 0 A B C D Letters of Choices c. Most of the respondents sometimes play horror games and no one answered always. d. 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Feelings of the respondents before playing horror games Number of the Respondents A B C D Letters of Choices Respondents are mostly interested before playing but few of them say that they feel afraid. e. Number of the Respondents 10 8 6 4 2 0 Factors that make horror games scary A B C D Letters of Choices Most of the respondents thought that sound effects make the horror games scary. f. 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Actions done by the respondents when scared Number of the Respondents A B C D Letters of Choices Most of them said that they tend to stop the game or do nothing and some of them scream or close their eyes. g. Number of the Respondents 8 6 4 2 0 Feelings of the respondents after playing horror games A B C D Letters of Choices Most of the respondents feel nothing after playing horror games and one of them feels stupid. h. Number of the Respondents Effects of horror games in respondents' dreams 8 6 4 2 0 A B C D Letters of Choices Most of the respondents said that horror games don’t affect their dreams. i. Effects of horror games in respondents' sleeping behavior 10 Number of the Respondents 8 6 4 2 0 A B Letters of Choices C CHAPTER FIVE Most of the respondents can’t sleep after playing horror games but no one answered that they are having nightmares. CHAPTER FIVE I. Summary of the Findings The researchers have found out that St. Clare Science High School female third year students think that horror games are scary. Common type of consoles such as PSP, PS2 and XBOX are where the respondents usually play but, Internet gaming reigned. Based on the results, respondents sometimes play this kind of game. As the counterpart of the first question, players are interested before playing the game and as it continue, most of the respondents felt nothing until after playing the game. Sound effects are one of the factors that make horror games scary. Due to this reason, some of the respondents tend to stop the game. Dreams are not affected as said by the respondents. But on the other hand, there is a tendency for the respondents to have a hard time in sleeping. II. Conclusions Based on the results of the study, the following conclusions were drawn: • Respondents’ personal experiences with horror games served as a great contribution to the outcome. It supports the stated information of the research. • Horror game’s aura is best described as spooky and distractive. It can be a factor why the respondents’ minds were bothered with continue flashing of deadly characters and scary pictures that tend to give the respondents a hard time in sleeping. • Some of the respondents feel nothing at all while or after playing the game. Researchers concluded that getting used to this game makes the tension reduce. III. Recommendations Researchers recommend the following for next further research: a. b. c. Choose another genre of the game ( i.e., action, RPG) Choose another range of age or school level Pick another field of behavior APPENDICES The Questionnaires Name: _____________________________________________ Age: ______ Encircle the letter that suits your answer. 1. What do you think of horror games? a. Scary b. Corny c. Disturbing d. Others (specify) ________________ 2. What are the common horror games you like to play? a. PSP Games b. PS2 Games c. Internet Horror Games d. XBOX 360 Games 3. How often do you play? a. Always b. Sometimes c. Seldom d. Others(specify)_________________ 4. What do you feel before playing horror games? a. Interested b. Excited c. Afraid d. Nothing 5. What makes the horror game scary for you? a. Special Effects b. Sound c. Graphics d. People who scare you 6. What do you do when you feel scared while playing? a. Stop the game b. Scream c. You close your eyes d. Nothing 7. What do you feel after playing? a. Stupid b. Frightened c. Crazy d. Nothing 8. Do playing horror games affect your dreams? a. Yes b. No c. Maybe d. Sort of 9. In what way it affects you in sleeping? a. You can't sleep b. You have nightmares c. Other (specify)_________ ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The researchers have the greatest privilege of expressing out heartiest thanks to the following: • Faculty and Staffs of St. Clare Science High School, for giving the researchers a good quality of education. • Ms. Rochelle B. Asis, for teaching, guiding and showing the researchers how life needs research. • Third year – Archimedes, for participating and helping the researchers in bringing out the best in everyone. • The Readers who served as the inspiration in doing such informative research. • Above all, God, for letting the wisdom, knowledge and strength pour down to everyone.