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Video Games Interventions to Reduce Radicalization and Violent Extremism in Young People: A Systematic Review

Fatima Lopez Naranjo https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5064-7869, Miguel A. Maldonado https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9126-2596 [email protected], […], Esther Cuadrado https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9903-0052, and Manuel Moyano+1View all authors and affiliations
Volume 20, Issue 6
https://doi.org/10.1177/15554120231223067

Abstract

The development and consumption of video games have experienced a significant boom in recent decades. Recently, attention has been paid to the impact they can have on young people and how extremist and radical groups are using them to recruit and reinforce hateful ideas and behaviors. It would be innovative to use this powerful tool to prevent and educate on values and rights, thereby reducing prejudices toward the outgroup. Therefore, the present systematic review aims to gather and systematize existing knowledge on video game-based interventions to reduce and prevent extremism and violent radicalization in young people, following the PRISMA method, analyzing a total of six articles. The results indicate that such interventions can reduce prejudiced behaviors toward outgroup individuals and increase resilience, empathy, and prosocial interactions. However, further exploration in this field is necessary to better understand the mechanisms involved and improve video game designs for preventive purposes.

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Biographies

Fatima Lopez Naranjo is a Psychology graduate interested in the intersection between psychology and videogames. With a master's degree in Psychology Applied to Education and Social Well-being (2023) from the University of Cordoba, Fatima has demonstrated a commitment to research in psychology applied to video games. Her interest focuses on understanding how video games can influence the mental and emotional wellbeing of gamers. In addition to her academic training, Fatima has successfully completed the course “Abordaje Integral de la Conducta Suicida” (2021) taught by the Colegio Oficial de Psicología, which demonstrates her dedication to addressing critical mental health issues.
Miguel A. Maldonado is a professor of Social Psychology at the University of Córdoba, Spain. He is a therapist at the Psychological Care Unit (UNAP) of the same University. He is also a member of the research group at the Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía of Córdoba. His scientific and research activities focus on the areas of psychological and behavioral intervention, the design of effective teaching methodologies and the psychological and social factors that mediate, cause, and explain the behavior related to health and psychological wellbeing.
Esther Cuadrado is a professor of Social Psychology at the University of Cordoba, Spain. He currently heads the psychology department at the university. Her research focuses on diverse aspects of human behavior and psychological health, in the personal and labor domains. She is interested in understanding patterns and potential causal motivational factors related to psychological health at the individual and collective levels. He has published more than 50 scientific articles on different psychosocial aspects that influence behavior, such as self-efficacy, resilience, prosocial behaviors and behaviors related to health and psychological wellbeing.
Manuel Moyano is a professor of Social Psychology at the University of Cordoba. He has been and is a researcher and/or analyst in projects funded, among others, by the European Union, START Center or different Ministries of the Spanish Government. He is currently principal investigator of different projects and initiatives, including the SPEY project (“Sport for Prevention of Extremism in Youth”), led by the UFEC and funded by the European Commission, DIGIPATCH project (work package 5, funded by the European Commission) or Fénix Andalucía (funded by Junta de Andalucía). He has spent time at research centers such as the University of Maryland (USA) and New York University and Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates). He has published as author and/or co-author more than 50 scientific papers, as well as several books, book chapters, and technical reports on violent radicalization, terrorism, human security, social exclusion, conflict, and other psychosocial risks. He has been a consultant, trainer and/or advisor to public and private organizations. Since 2018 he has been a member of the expert group of the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN), European Commission.
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