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The racing-game effect: why do video racing games increase risk-taking inclinations?
Peter Fischer1, Tobias Greitemeyer, Thomas Morton
1University of Exeter. peter.fischer@uni-graz.at
Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|July 15, 2009
Summary
Playing video racing games increases risky driving behaviors and attitudes. This effect is linked to players perceiving themselves as more reckless drivers, especially when games reward traffic violations.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Traffic Safety
- Media Psychology
Background:
- Video games are increasingly popular, with racing games being a prominent genre.
- Concerns exist regarding the potential influence of video game content on real-world behavior.
- Understanding the psychological mechanisms linking video games to risk-taking is crucial for public safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal link between playing video racing games and increased risk-taking inclinations.
- To identify the psychological mediators and moderators of this effect.
- To assess the implications for traffic safety.
Main Methods:
- Four experimental studies were conducted involving participants playing various types of video racing games.
- Risk-taking was assessed in simulated driving scenarios.
- Psychological measures included self-perception, attitudes toward risk, sensation seeking, and physiological responses (blood pressure).
Main Results:
- Playing video racing games significantly increased risk-taking in simulated driving.
- Effects were mediated by changes in self-perceptions as a reckless driver.
- The impact was stronger when games rewarded traffic violations and when participants were active players.
Conclusions:
- Video racing games can negatively impact traffic safety by fostering risk-promoting cognitions and behaviors.
- The findings highlight the importance of game design (rewarding violations) and player engagement (active vs. passive) in shaping real-world risk-taking.
- Interventions may be needed to mitigate the adverse effects of certain video games on driving behavior.
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