Shall we play again? The effects of repetitive gameplay and self-efficacy on behavioural intentions to take earthquake precautions

ABSTRACT

Playing serious games may allow individuals to acquire essential disaster preparedness knowledge and skills. Playing such games repeatedly could generate self-efficacy, and consequently lead to behavioural intentions to take precautions. This study examines the effects of repetitive-play of an earthquake preparedness game on behavioural intentions, and the role of self-efficacy in mediating these positive outcomes. An experimental study was conducted, where repetitive-play was manipulated in a laboratory setting. An online self-administered survey was used to measure self-efficacy and behavioural intentions. Results showed that those in the repetitive-play condition had significant intentions to take precautions compared only to those in the no-play condition. The gradual increase in intentions from no-play to single-play to repetitive-play was not significant. Earthquake preparedness self-efficacy mediated the relationship between repetitive-play and behavioural intentions. Results of this study suggest that serious games should encourage repetitive-play while allowing players to progressively gain content self-efficacy, highlighting the important role of design and game features in serious games on risk communication.

KEYWORDS:

• Repetitive game interaction
• self-efficacy
• behavioural intentions
• risk communication

Acknowledgements

The author extends her special thanks to Dr. Hyunyi Cho, Dr. William Watson, as well as Dr. Carie Cunningham, and Sean Tierney for their advice and support on this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.