THE EFFECTS OF HORROR

GAMES IN THIRD YEAR

FEMALE STUDENTS SLEEPING
BEHAVIORS

Researchers:

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 ones
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, Zillmans 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 the study is to inform and provide

awareness to the people who love to play horror games.
Researchers consider the effects of these horror games that can
affect ones 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. Thoughts of the respondents about

Horror games

10
Number of the
Respondents

8
6
4
2
0
A B C D
Letters of Choices
According to this graph, most of the respondents thought that
horror games are scary but one said its funny.

b. Common horror games played by the

respondents
12
10
Number of the
Respondents

8
6
4
2
0
A B C D
Letters of Choices
Respondents commonly play horror games that can be accessed
through internet than PSP, PS2 and XBOX games.

Playing time of the respondents with

c. horror games

8
Number of the
Respondents

0
A B C D
Letters of Choices
Most of the respondents sometimes play horror games and no one
answered always.

d. Feelings of the respondents before

playing horror games

Number of the 6
5
Respondents
4
3
2
1
0
A B C D
Letters of Choices

Respondents are mostly interested before playing but few of them

say that they feel afraid.

Factors that make horror games scary

e.
10
Number of the

8
Respondents

6
4
2
0
A B C D
Letters of Choices

Most of the respondents thought that sound effects make the

horror games scary.

f. Actions done by the respondents when

scared

6
Number of the

5
Respondents

4
3
2
1
0
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.

Feelings of the respondents after

g. playing horror games

8
Number of the
Respondents
6

0
A B C D
Letters of Choices

Most of the respondents feel nothing after playing horror games

and one of them feels stupid.

Effects of horror games in respondents'

h.
dreams

8
Number of the
Respondents

0
A B C D
Letters of Choices

Most of the respondents said that horror games dont affect their
dreams.

i.
Effects of horror games in respondents'
sleeping behavior

10
Number of the

8
Respondents

CHAPTER FIVE
6
4
2
0
A B C
Letters of Choices

Most of the respondents cant 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 games 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. Choose another genre of the game ( i.e., action, RPG)

b. Choose another range of age or school level
c. 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.