Abstract
BackgroundMuch has been done regarding the promotion of equality in rights in terms of legislation, but persons with disabilities remain marginalised in society. Negative attitudes and prejudice contribute towards numerous challenges for persons with disabilities.ObjectivesThis study investigated the level of empathy and prejudice of students towards persons with disabilities, and the effect of the use of a serious game to enhance empathy and reduce prejudice.MethodA randomised controlled experiment with pre-test, post-test and follow-up test was used. Availability sample (N = 83) of psychology university students (22% males; 78% females) was divided into an experimental group that played the serious game The World of Empa and two control groups. The first control group received texts on case studies and information on reacting in a sensitive and responsive way, and the second control group received no intervention.ResultsParticipants have average levels of empathy (score: 32 to 52) and strong prejudice (score: 0.08 to −0.87) towards persons with disabilities. The intervention results in a slight short-term effect for prejudice and sub-scale measurements of empathy. A slight improvement was noted in participants’ ability to transpose themselves imaginatively into the experience of disabled characters.ConclusionThe findings contribute to the understanding of empathy as a dynamic component that can be positively influenced by, for example, a serious game. These results have teaching implications on the facilitation of empathy. The short-term effect on empathy and prejudice towards persons with disabilities may contribute to bridge the inequality experienced by persons with disabilities.Keywordsempathy; prejudice; serious games; persons with disabilities; psychology students.
Highlights
During the 1990s, South Africa experienced transformation on various levels, and even brought forth a new constitution that aimed to liberate the rights of persons with disabilities – enabling them to compete more equitably for health care funding and raising awareness for their needs (Kromberg et al 2008)
Attention is drawn to the possibility of influencing these components by using modern teaching techniques to gain experience and to increase the empathy to support the therapeutic work with persons with disabilities
The main objective of this study was to examine the level of empathy and prejudice of third year and senior psychology students towards persons with disabilities and to study the use of a serious game to enhance empathy and reduce prejudice towards persons with disabilities by focusing on four underlying aims
Summary
During the 1990s, South Africa experienced transformation on various levels, and even brought forth a new constitution that aimed to liberate the rights of persons with disabilities – enabling them to compete more equitably for health care funding and raising awareness for their needs (Kromberg et al 2008). South Africa reached new frontiers by being one of a few countries to include disability issues in their constitution by enshrining civil and political rights for persons with disabilities, as well as rights concerning everyday existence, such as education, health, housing and social assistance (Heap, Lorenzo & Thomas 2009). Heap et al (2009:859) reported that much has been done in protecting the rights of persons with disabilities in terms of legislation and administrative measures, but the reality of the implementation of these rights is not yet experienced in the day-to-day experiences of South African people with disabilities. Much has been done regarding the promotion of equality in rights in terms of legislation, but persons with disabilities remain marginalised in society. Negative attitudes and prejudice contribute towards numerous challenges for persons with disabilities
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