LIT 12 - Cyber Dehumanization Bastian Flashcards
What effect does playing violent video games have on players’ perception of their own humanity?
Playing violent video games, especially those where the player is the perpetrator of violence, can lead players to perceive themselves as less human. This is thought to be due to self-perception theory, where individuals infer their internal attributes from observing their own behaviour.
How does playing violent video games affect players’ perception of their opponents?
When players engage in violent acts against other players in a video game, they tend to dehumanise their opponents, seeing them as less human. This is consistent with research showing that dehumanising others can make it easier to justify violence and aggression towards them.
Does playing violent video games with a co-player, rather than against an opponent, affect perceptions of humanity?
Studies suggest that while players still dehumanise themselves when playing violent games cooperatively, they do not dehumanise their co-players. This indicates that dehumanisation is more likely to occur when the other person is the target of violence.
What are the two dimensions of humanness used to measure dehumanisation in the sources? Bastian
The sources use the dimensions of Human Nature and Human Uniqueness to measure dehumanisation. Human Nature refers to qualities seen as fundamental to being human, such as warmth and emotional responsiveness. Human Uniqueness refers to attributes that distinguish humans from animals, such as rationality and culture.
What are some potential long-term effects of playing violent video games?
Repeated exposure to the dehumanising experiences of violent video game play could lead to chronic changes in self-perception. Players may start to view themselves as less human in general, and this could have implications for their behaviour and interactions in the real world.
