oa Stereotypering, ideologie en beïnvloeding in digitale games

Stereotypes, ideology and persuasion in America’s Army

This study investigates the influence of the shooting game America’s Army on players’ cognitions and attitudes towards Muslims and the army. In order to reconcile two contrasting views on game rhetoric (the framing and the critical reflection perspective), the perceptions and involvement of the player are forwarded as intermediary factors in the game effect model. We hypothesize that, in addition to mere exposure to America’s Army, perceived realism and moral engagement will be significant predictors of attitudinal and cognitive outcomes. The results of an online survey (N = 354) partly confirm these expectations: Frequency of play is not significantly related to any hypothesized outcome. Perceived realism significantly correlates with all cognitive and attitudinal measures. Moral distance correlates with cognitions and attitudes towards Muslims. This confirms that mere exposure is not a sufficient condition for game persuasion, and that the player should be considered a defining factor in the process of game rhetoric.