Playing without Empathy: a Video Game Noir’s Impact on Rape Myths and Victim Worthiness Perceptions

• In Event: Perceptions, Narratives and Patterns of Rape and Sexual Assault

Abstract

Recent research examined whether exposure to sexualized images of violence against females in video games (via viewing another playing video games with this content) influences rape myth beliefs and empathy for female victims (Beck, et al., 2012). Here, it was discovered that increases in rape myth beliefs increased among males (suggesting an empathy reduction for victims), but not among females. In an experiment, we explore these relationships further. Beliefs in rape myths and video game experience were measured among 90 male subjects. After one week passed (from the initial survey), these 90 subjects were then randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups where subjects both played and viewed others playing one of two possible video games (with varying degrees of sexualized images and/or violence against female characters) or to a control group (no video game play or viewing of game play). After, rape myth beliefs and experience with video game were measured once again. One week later, these variables were measured yet again. Our current results are suggesting that the exposure to sexualized violence against females in these games may, in fact, be increasing the level of empathy for victims. Implications of these results will be explored and discussed.

Authors

• Chris Rose, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

• Victoria Simpson Beck, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

• Jason Lee, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh