Breaking the Cycle of Violence: Victimization, Fairness Perceptions, Moral Disengagement, and Destructive Behavior in Competitive Online Games
Sung Je Lee, Eui Jun Jeong, Dae Young Lee · International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction · 2025
This study investigated the relationship between experiences of destructive game behavior victimization and subsequent engagement in such behaviors, particularly focusing on blame-shifting within the competitive online game League of Legends. Grounding in social learning theory and the cycle of violence model, we examined how perceptions of rule fairness and normative awareness contribute to destructive game behavior. A survey of 322 players assessed their victimization experiences, perceptions of fairness in game rules, normative awareness of moral behavior in gaming, and their involvement in destructive behaviors. Structural equation modeling revealed that victimization experiences negatively impact perceptions of fairness but have no direct effect on normative awareness. Perceived fairness and normative awareness, in turn, were both negatively associated with destructive game behaviors. Furthermore, diffusion of responsibility significantly mediated the relationship between perceived norms and destructive behavior. These findings highlight the importance of promoting fair and transparent systems within games to mitigate the cycle of violence and enhance positive gaming environments. Theoretical and practical implications from the results were discussed.