The Effect of Intergroup Contact in Gaming on Improving Empathetic Feelings and Reducing Stereotypes Towards Immigrants

Vivian Hsueh Hua Chen, Wei Jie Dominic Koek, Gabrielle C. Ibasco, Fidelia Beatrice, Arul Chib

Research output: Chapter/Conference proceedingConference proceedingAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Video games have been designed and studied in the context of intergroup relations. Past studies have shown that overall gaming experience may induce empathy and reduce prejudice, however, the mechanism that leads to such an effect is not fully understood. The current study utilizes intergroup contact theory as a foundation to design a 2D game that allows mediated contact to occur through hiring and dialogue choices. It examines how perceived positive vs. negative contact valence with outgroup immigrant workers influences empathetic feelings and stereotypes towards immigrants. Results showed that overall gameplay reduced negative stereotypes. Perceived positive contact predicts increased empathetic feelings and reduced negative stereotypes towards immigrants. However, there are no significant findings with regards to the influence of negative contact in the game. Implications and directions for further research are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 55th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences | 2022
Place of PublicationHawai
Pages3161-3169
Number of pages9
Publication statusPublished - 4 Jan 2022
Externally publishedYes
Event55th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2022 - Virtual, Online, United States
Duration: 3 Jan 20227 Jan 2022

Conference

Conference55th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2022
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityVirtual, Online
Period3/01/227/01/22

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research is supported by the Ministry of Education, Singapore, under its Academic Research Fund Tier 1 Grant (RG41/20).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 IEEE Computer Society. All rights reserved.

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