Introduction
The study titled "Background Checks: Disentangling Class, Race, and Gender in CRPG Character Creators" offers intriguing insights into how character creation in video games reflects and perpetuates real-world socioeconomic and racial stereotypes. While this research primarily focuses on the gaming industry, its findings can be remarkably relevant to the field of speech-language pathology, especially in the context of online therapy services like those provided by TinyEYE.
Understanding the Research
The research examines character creators in games like Arcanum and Dragon Age, highlighting how these interfaces often mirror societal hierarchies and stereotypes. For instance, certain races in the games are depicted with predefined attributes that limit their roles, reflecting real-world racial and class stereotypes. This analysis underscores the importance of recognizing underlying biases in digital interfaces, which can also be present in educational and therapeutic tools.
Implications for Online Therapy
For practitioners in online therapy, understanding the impact of socioeconomic and racial biases is crucial. Here are some ways to apply these insights:
- Bias Recognition: Just as character creators can perpetuate stereotypes, online therapy platforms may inadvertently include biases. Practitioners should critically assess their tools and materials to ensure they are inclusive and equitable.
- Customized Interventions: The research emphasizes the importance of customization. In therapy, this translates to tailoring interventions to the unique cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds of each child, ensuring that therapy is relevant and effective.
- Inclusive Design: When developing or selecting digital therapy tools, prioritize those that allow for diverse representation and avoid reinforcing stereotypes.
Encouraging Further Research
While this study provides a foundational understanding, further research is necessary to explore how these findings can be directly applied to online therapy. Practitioners are encouraged to engage with interdisciplinary studies and collaborate with experts in media studies to enhance their practice.
Conclusion
By integrating insights from diverse fields, speech-language pathologists can improve their practice and outcomes for children. Understanding and addressing biases in digital tools is a step towards more effective and equitable therapy.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Background Checks: Disentangling Class, Race, and Gender in CRPG Character Creators.
