The Resident Evil study: do depictions of race matter in action video games?

Abstract

Considerable research has examined the issue of whether action video games contribute to aggression. Increasingly, evidence has called this association into question. However, little research has considered whether racial depictions in action games can influence racial attitudes or aggression toward people of similar ethnicities as those depicted in the games. In the current study, 103 young adults were randomized to play versions of the Resident Evil game franchise with either a majority of African race zombies or Caucasian race zombies. Results were mixed. On a test of mild aggression, participants were more aggressive toward a confederate of the same race as the zombies in the game and this was particularly true for white confederates. However, game version had no impact on ethnocentric attitudes. Game version may have small effects on prank-level aggression toward similar race individuals, but game effects don’t easily influence deeper attitudes that may lead to real-life racism.