Morality in Gaming: Observer Perceptions of Player versus Character Actions

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47679/jopp.617702024

Keywords:

heuristics, moral-decision making, perceived morality, violent video games

Abstract

The debate on the impact of violent video games and its influence on players continues despite mixed findings. Using the lens of third person perception research, we explored moral judgments of laypersons, those often at the crux of these public debates. Study 1 investigated whether the player or character is perceived by an outside observer as responsible for moral decisions made within the narrative of a violent video game. Study 2 investigated how those perceptions may impact the observers’ perceptions of the player’s future negative behaviors and personality traits. Study 1 and 2 used a 2 (condition: rescuing vs. harvesting) x 2 (role: player vs. character) mixed ANOVA with role as a repeated measure. We created a brief recording of gameplay leading to a moral decision in Bioshock, an interactive, first-person shooter game, shown to participants. Participants were asked to rate perceived morality of player and character actions. Study 1 showed that participants (N = 51) held the observed player more morally responsible for in-game behaviors than the character within the game. Replicating and advancing Study 1, Study 2 (N = 227) showed support for you are what you eat heuristic, in that observers were more likely to view the negative behaviors of the in-game characters as indicators of negative personality traits of the player. These insights are crucial in the broader societal discourse on the potential link between violent video games and real-world aggression

Author Biographies

Jessica A Stansbury, University of Baltimore

Dr. Jessica A. Stansbury, Director of Teaching and Learning Excellence at the University of Baltimore's CELTT, holds a doctorate in Instructional Technology and a Masters of experimental Psychology from Towson University. With a rich background in psychology and technology, she pioneered the first psychology research Teaching and Gaming Lab (TAG Lab) at Towson University. Her extensive research and applied experiences encompass innovative teaching methods, perceptions about teaching and learning, and the integration of video gaming in higher education. Dr. Stansbury has many contributions to the field including numerous research presentations, publications, and media appearances, all underscoring her passion for exploring the intersections of gaming, culture, and pedagogy.

Geoffrey D Munro, Department of Psychology, Towson University

Dr. Geoffrey Munro is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Towson University. He received his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology with a concentration in Social Psychology from Kent State University in 1997. His teaching interests include courses in Social Psychology, Behavioral Statistics, and Research Methodology. Dr. Munro's research focuses on social and moral judgment biases including how emotion and identity affect judgments about scientific evidence, social issues, and political information.

David R Earnest, Department of Psychological Science and Counseling, Austin Peay State University

Dr. David Earnest is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Science and Counselling at Austin Peay State University where he teaches both undergraduate psychology courses and graduate courses in the Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology program. He received his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology with a concentration in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from The University of Memphis in 2010. Before joining the I-O Psychology Master’s program at APSU, he taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Towson University. His teaching interests include courses in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Behavioral Statistics, Research Methodology, and Study Abroad. Dr. Earnest's applied experiences have included recruitment and selection procedures, program evaluation, and experimental methodology across business, health care, education, civil service, and military environments. His research interests include recruitment and selection, intercultural competencies, and teaching pedagogy.

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Published

2024-05-30

How to Cite

Stansbury, J. A., Munro, G. D., & Earnest, D. R. (2024). Morality in Gaming: Observer Perceptions of Player versus Character Actions. Journal of Psychological Perspective, 6(1), 63–72. https://doi.org/10.47679/jopp.617702024

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Empirical Research

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