Study: Children Who Play Violent Video Games More Likely To Say ‘That’s Goro’ When Shown Picture Of Goro

March 31, 2026 - 03:57

A new study from Boston College has revealed a surprising correlation between children's gaming habits and their ability to identify specific fictional characters. The research indicates that young children who regularly play violent video games are far more likely to correctly name the character Goro when shown his picture.

According to the findings, children with exposure to violent games readily identified the four-armed martial artist, often simply stating, "That's Goro." In contrast, peers who did not engage with such games frequently failed to recognize the character altogether. The study's authors suggest this points to a nuanced form of learned association, where repeated in-game exposure solidifies character recognition in a way that other media does not.

Researchers emphasized that the study specifically measures identification and verbal response, not aggression or behavior. The immediate and confident naming of the character by the gaming group highlights how immersive and repetitive gameplay can cement certain visual references in a child's memory. The team calls for further investigation into how such specific recognition from digital environments interacts with other aspects of cognitive development.