title: From outgroups to allied forces: Effect of intergroup cooperation in violent and nonviolent video games on boosting favorable outgroup attitudes.
abstract: Here we addressed whether even violent video games can improve intergroup attitudes if played cooperatively with an outgroup, in keeping with the Contact Hypothesis. In addition, we examined potential mechanisms of this effect. In Experiment 1 (N = 77), Canadians played a violent video game (Call of Duty: Black Ops) against zombies, either cooperatively or independently (i.e., at the same time but solo) with a (supposed) University of Buffalo participant. As expected, cooperative (vs. solo) play significantly improved outgroup attitudes and pro-outgroup participant behavior, effects explained by heightened 1-group recategorization (i.e., feeling psychologically on the same team and connected with the outgroup member). In Experiment 2 (N = 239), effects of cooperation (vs. solo play) held whether playing a violent or nonviolent video game. Importantly, our findings offer an engaging and pragmatic solution to the pervasive issue of setting up and negotiating opportunities for successful intergroup cooperation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Brock University.
authors.forename: Paul J C
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Adachi
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Brock University.
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hodson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Brock University.
authors.forename: Teena
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Willoughby
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Trent University.
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blank
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Brock University.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ha
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018910:Video Games / Q000523:psychology*; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult