The current study examines the effects of playing PeaceMaker (an Israeli/Palestinian computer simulation game) and its relationship to contact theory. Thirty participants were assigned to spend one-hour in-lab either playing the game or reading/viewing media accounts of events similar in nature to those portrayed in the game. Measures of empathy and attitude were employed before and after each condition. Game-play increased hope for peace and reduced preexisting biases significantly more than media exposure. Furthermore, game-play encouraged a more constructive outlook on the major actors and actions involved in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Seventeen of the 32 actors and actions measured were rated significantly more positive after game play. In contrast, only 4 of the 32 actors and actions were rated more positive after media exposure. Future research will include isolation and exploration of participants’ interaction with serious games as the variable responsible for the significant changes found in this study.
- 11 views