picture secret plan have beenblamed for many societal illsthat actually havenothing to do with them . Still , it is undeniable that certain on-line gambling communities not only allow toxic behaviors , but actually encourage radicalization . understand how and why some gamers are likely to fall down this way is authoritative – and researchers believe that one likely mechanism has been unveiled .
It is called " Identity Fusion " , a psychological concept where member of a group experience a intuitive connection to the mathematical group as a single entity . When this happens , people begin to place pro - group behavior and ask as more crucial than their own . This might lead to perform acts that are actually damaging to themselves , such as being uncoerced to be hurt or even die for the group .
The study discover that this concept can partially explain conduct attend in sure gambling community . research worker face at three related aspects of this concept . Those that powerfully identified as a gamer were more likely to fight and die for " gaming " culture and were more likely to exhibit traits associated withnarcissismandpsychopathy . They also were more likely to show unfriendly sexism and extrinsic racism , as well as late aggressive behaviors . This was independent of political affiliation .
The third sound in a slightly unlike direction , wondering if unlike community of ego - name gamers experience identity fusion . The researchers compared players of Minecraft and players of Call of Duty . They establish that while identity fusion was seen in both , utmost behaviors were more likely to be found in Call of Duty gamers .
“ We suggest that examining the impingement of games through the electron lens of identity element unification provides insight into the role of identity in the extension of radical ideology , radicalization , enlisting , and mobilization . Further documentation of the persona of identity in extremism will not only chip in to a theoretical understanding of the process underlying play but also pave the way for the development of safeguard designed to discourage perniciousness in gaming spaces , ” the authors wrote inthe composition .
The research worker stress the limitations of the study : It only included masses in the United States , and it ca n’t be used to prognosticate offline behavior , including offline enlisting by extremist . They also stress that just comparing Minecraft with Call of Duty , while informative , does n’t provide major insights into what do the two communities dissimilar . More comparisons between alike and different game might render more insights .
The work is bring out in the journalFrontiers in Communication .
