Research

The serious game Talk That Talk is designed and evaluated during a master thesis project of the Master’s Engineering and Policy Analysis at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. 

Goal

Talk That Talk is an evidence-based game designed to encourage an intergroup dialogue among students about sexual violence against women. The main goal of the game is to promote ethical bystander behaviour in situations of sexually transgressive behaviour (STB).

 

The game evaluation was focussed on the outcome variables:

  • Sexual violence myth acceptance
  • Bystander Attitudes: awarenss and responsibility
  • The willingness to intervene in STB-situations.
  • Intergroup Dialogue

Outcome

The game proved to have a significant positive effect on the bystander attitudes and the willingness to intervene. No significant difference was found in sexual violence myth acceptance. Additionally, the game proved to promote an effective intergroup dialogue between the participants. 

Approach

Literature research and brainstorm sessions were conducted with female and male students from Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)to gain a better understanding of the system and context of sexual violence among students. These methods were used as part of participatory game design research. Moreover, a quasi-controlled experimental trial was conducted with 64 TU Delft students from different nationalities and study backgrounds.

Definitions

Ethical Bystander Behaviour

Someone who attempts to influence a situation that harms another individual in a positive manner, taking into consideration their own safety and wellbeing. 

Intergroup Dialogue

An interactive and student-centred approach that brings peers from different identity groups, such as gender identities, together in a facilitated and supported face-to-face environment for participatory learning about societal inequalities in the community.

Serious Game

Games that have another primary purpose than entertainment. These games have a specific educational purpose and are thus not only meant to be amusing.

Sexually Transgressive Behaviour

Covers all forms of behaviour that is sexual from nature and crosses
the boundaries of another person. This can range from either
physical to psychological transgressive behaviour

Sexual Violence

Defined by European Centre for Constitutional and Human Right as “any deliberate (violent act) of a sexual nature, carried out without consent or the capacity to consent, which is not only limited to physical violence or contact”.

Sexual Violence Myth Acceptance 

Attitudes and beliefs about sexual violence that are generally false but are widely and persistently held, and that serve to deny and justify male sexual aggression against women.