Is Peace Possible?: Attitude and Behavior Change in a Simulated International Conflict
Issue Date
2010-04-26Author
Williams, Alexander Jonathan
Publisher
University of Kansas
Format
40 pages
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
M.A.
Discipline
Political Science
Rights
This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Previous research has demonstrated the efficacy of Multiple Identification Theory (MIT) in fostering cooperative attitudes and behaviors among participants in simulated international conflicts. However, these studies did not employ control groups and their evidence of in vivo behavioral change was self-reported. Questions also persist in the literature regarding the effectiveness of games at educating students in international relations. The present investigation attempts to improve upon previous MIT research and resolve these questions. Participants either played an MIT game twice (full simulation treatment) or watched a documentary and played the game once (partial simulation treatment). Their attitudes and behaviors towards conflict were measured before, during and after the experimental sessions. Statistical tests showed that the attitudes and behaviors of full treatment participants became significantly more cooperative than those of partial treatment participants. The implications of this research for international relations practice, theory, and education are discussed.
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- Political Science Dissertations and Theses [134]
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