Reality Stems From Modality: Stereotype Threat Effects of a STEM Game in Augmented and Virtual Reality

Frontiers in Virtual Reality

Andrew Gambino¹  Josephine K. Boumis²  Kuo-Ting Huang³  Rabindra Ratan⁴  Sarah Kuang⁵ 

[1] College of Communications, Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA, United States;Department of Communication, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States;Department of Journalism, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, United States;Department of Media and Information, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States;Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States;

关键词: augmented and virtual reality;    experiment;    video games;    STEM games;    stereotype threat and reactance;   

DOI  :  10.3389/frvir.2021.636643

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

This study examined the relationship between stereotype threat, game modality (augmented reality, virtual reality), and stereotypic beliefs about STEM fields. Results of a 2 [modality] x 2 [stereotype threat] factorial, between-subjects experiment with women participants (N = 64) suggest that gender stereotypes primed before playing the STEM game in AR induced stereotype threat, but induced stereotype reactance in VR. Specifically, for participants who played in AR, the stereotype-reinforcing prompt (compared to a counter-stereotype prompt) was associated with worse STEM-game performance, which mediated an increase in stereotypical beliefs about women in STEM. Conversely, for participants who played in VR, the stereotype-reinforcing prompt was associated with better STEM-game performance and more positive (i.e., counter-stereotypic) beliefs about women in STEM, though without mediation. These findings support the claim that stereotypes triggered in a STEM-gaming context have the potential to reinforce stereotypes in STEM fields. Researchers and practitioners should consider the implication that VR is potentially more male-stereotyped than AR, while AR makes stereotyped identity characteristics more accessible than VR.

【 授权许可】

Unknown