Backfire Effects in Science Communication: Violent Video Games and Belief Resistance

Abstract Book of the 11th International Conference on Modern Research in Social Sciences

Year: 2026

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Backfire Effects in Science Communication: Violent Video Games and Belief Resistance

Tobias Greitemeyer

ABSTRACT:

Communicating scientific evidence to the public can be challenging, especially when findings touch on topics people care about personally. This research examined how individuals’ beliefs about violent video games and aggression were influenced by scientific summaries, depending on their prior exposure to these games. Across two studies (total N = 1,576), participants read research abstracts reporting either a link between violent video games and aggression or no effect, and their beliefs were measured before and after reading. Results showed that participants with low exposure to violent video games updated their beliefs in line with the evidence. In contrast, those with high exposure largely maintained their prior view that violent video games do not increase aggression, regardless of the findings presented. Among the heaviest players, exposure to evidence suggesting a harmful effect even produced a counter-directional shift, leading them to believe that violent video games reduce aggression. Our findings are consistent with psychological distancing, a defensive process in which individuals move their beliefs away from information perceived as threatening to their identity, preferences, or behavior. The results highlight a key challenge for science communication: simply presenting evidence is not always enough, and, in some cases, it can backfire. Effective strategies may require approaches that reduce defensiveness and engage audiences in ways that do not threaten their sense of self.

Keywords: Persuason; Science Communication; Violent Video Games