Superman vs. BAD Man? The Effects of Empathy and Game Character in Violent Video Games

Happ, Christian; Melzer, André; Steffgen, Georges

doi:10.1089/cyber.2012.0695

Cited by 52 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…This research investigated the effects of the moral attributes of game characters and empathy levels on player aggression. Results showed that the moral feature itself can influence player aggression: more aggressive behaviors were emerging among players in justified roles, which was contrary to our first hypothesis and inconsistent with previous findings of how game characters affect individuals ( Meier et al, 2004 ; Peña et al, 2009 ; Happ et al, 2013 ). Previous studies have indicated that behaving badly in a game increases aggression and reduces helping behavior and group cohesion.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…The results showed that, when a player acted as a “good” game character in a violent video game (such as Righteous Army or Counter-Strike), the moral panic and negative emotional experience generated by playing games was less ( Hartmann and Vorderer, 2009 ; Hartmann et al, 2010 ; Weaver and Lewis, 2012 ; Shi et al, 2013 ). Research also showed that empathy lowered aggression in the justified-role condition, but enhanced aggression in the unjustified-role condition ( Happ et al, 2013 ). Additionally, players in the unjustified-role condition had more worries, pains, and other negative emotional experiences ( Happ et al, 2013 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research also showed that empathy lowered aggression in the justified-role condition, but enhanced aggression in the unjustified-role condition ( Happ et al, 2013 ). Additionally, players in the unjustified-role condition had more worries, pains, and other negative emotional experiences ( Happ et al, 2013 ). Studies have also shown that both moral anxiety and negative emotions decrease when individuals play in the justified roles in, for instance, Ally of Justice and Counter-Strike ( Schneider et al, 2004 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Influence of Empathy and Morality of Violent Video Game Characters on Gamers’ Aggression

et al. 2017

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According to the General Aggression Model, situational factors (such as the game characters) and personal factors both affect a gamer’s acquisition of aggressive behavior. Previous studies have found not only that the surface features of game characters, such as appearance and clothing, but also that their inherent characteristics, such as morality and identity, can influence a gamer’s attitude and behavior. Research has also shown that empathy, as a personal factor, can protect gamers from the impact of media violence. However, past research has focused primarily on single factors affecting the player rather than more comprehensive investigations. This study investigates the influence of the game character’s moral features and levels of empathy on the gamer’s aggression. The participants were 120 Chinese university students (61 females and 59 males) with ages ranging from 17 to 27 years. Participants first completed a series of questionnaires: a user experience questionnaire, a video game questionnaire, the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, and a modified version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. All participants then had 5 min of practice playing a violent video game. They were then divided into three groups: a high empathy group, a low empathy group, and a no empathy group. After the practice, participants in the high and low empathy groups read empathy materials relating to the game characters; participants in the no empathy group began formal gameplay. All participants played the game for 20 min. Finally, participants were required to complete the Scale of Hostility Status questionnaire, the Implicit Aggression Test, and the Competitive Reaction Time Test. The results show that empathy and the morality of game characters both influence aggression, but empathy affected aggression differently in the participants playing justified roles (i.e., killing others for a moral reason in the game) compared to those playing unjustified roles (i.e., killing others for immoral reasons in the game). In the high empathy condition, the implicit aggression of justified players was significantly higher than those playing unjustified roles. However, high empathy does not always play a protective role, and its effect is restricted by the features of the game characters.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Influence of Empathy and Morality of Violent Video Game Characters on Gamers’ Aggression

et al. 2017

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“…Initially theorized for other forms of media, Cohen (2006) proposed that identification with media characters leads to a number of educational outcomes, including greater attention to and retention of messages associated with those characters. More than other media, games are particularly wellsuited to promoting identification because they allow a player to direct the actions, choose the attributes, pursue the goals, and experience the feelings of a character who represents the player in the text (Happ, Melzer, & Steffgen, 2013;Klimmt, Hefner, & Vorderer, 2009). A study of students' identification with characters in violent video games found that identification with violent characters positively predicted aggressive affect and cognition, but identification did not mediate between level of interactivity of the medium (game versus movie) and aggression or arousal.…”

Section: Presence Flow and Identification And Learning From Gamesmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do presence, flow, and character identification affect players’ empathy and interest in learning from a serious computer game?

Bachen

Hernndez-Ramos

Raphael

et al. 2016

Computers in Human Behavior

113

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a b s t r a c tThis study develops and tests an integrated model of how three psychological variablesdpresence, flow, and character identificationdcontribute to interest in learning and empathy with people from other cultures through a simulation game. U.S. college students played one of two roles (an American journalist or Haitian survivor) in the game that dealt with the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Presence was a powerful predictor of flow, character identification, and empathy felt during the games. Furthermore, empathy experienced by game play significantly predicted interest in learning more about the game topics. Flow and identification made secondary contributions to learning outcomes, with flow mediating the effect of presence on males' empathy and identification contributing to females' interest in learning. While the proposed model was generally successful at predicting outcomes, it did a better job of accounting for the experience of participants who played a role rooted in their own culture (the journalist) than in a different culture (the survivor), and for female than male players. Our results suggest that serious game designers should prioritize inducing empathy and immersive presence in players, giving secondary attention to designing for flow and character identification.

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“…These results proved that preference of an evil moral identity in a game could affect one's in-game immoral behaviors, such as verbal hostility and anti-user behaviors, which could impede fair competition and gaming pleasure. They also implied that the moral preferences of the narrative or playing style in the system might cause malicious and rude tendencies (Happ et al 2013;Hollingdale & Greitemeyer, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Personal Traits and Game Factors on Immoral Game Behavior: Focused on League of Legends

Lee

Kong²,

Piao³

et al. 2019

Proceedings of the International Conferences ICT, Society, and Human Beings 2019; Connected Smart Cities 2019; And Web Based Co

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As digital games have become popular, the number of incidents and the degree of damage caused by immoral game behavior (such as "flaming", "trolling") are on the rise. But few studies have been conducted to explore the antecedents to such flaming and trolling. Therefore, this study empirically examined the effects of aggression and self-esteem, and game factors (game moral positioning, game motivations, gaming time) on immoral game behaviors with participating game players of . Results showed that game moral positioning (i.e., a tendency to choose evil characters or activities) and advancement motivation (i.e., focus on competition and growth) positively affect immoral game behaviors. While "fun/interest" motivation has a negative effect on immoral game behaviors. In addition, gaming time did not affect flaming and trolling. These results show that preference of an evil moral identity or competitive motivation in a game could affect immoral game behaviors. These results show that moral preference of an evil identity or competitive motivation in a game could affect immoral game behaviors. And it could impede delectable game experience. Furthermore, meanwhile, aggression increase immoral game behaviors. But self-esteem did not affect immoral game behaviors. Finally, moral positioning moderates the impact of aggression and advancement motivation on immoral game behaviors. Consequently, digital games that solicit moral deviations should seek ways to offer unique entertainment, and to encourage game users not to put an obstacle to the other game users' positive gaming experience due to their excessive immersion in evil characters or identities. As suggested, game producers must offer diverse types of gaming systems or to organize special game modes than those promoting excessive competitiveness for the pleasure and enjoyment of various types of users.

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Superman vs. BAD Man? The Effects of Empathy and Game Character in Violent Video Games

Cited by 52 publications

References 27 publications

The Influence of Empathy and Morality of Violent Video Game Characters on Gamers’ Aggression

The Influence of Empathy and Morality of Violent Video Game Characters on Gamers’ Aggression

How do presence, flow, and character identification affect players’ empathy and interest in learning from a serious computer game?

The Effects of Personal Traits and Game Factors on Immoral Game Behavior: Focused on League of Legends

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