This project draws upon self-determination and attachment style theories to analyze video games of varying contents, exploring how communication theories identify the development of prosocial behaviors in an interactive medium.

    Previous research has investigated the effect of video games on players’ behaviors, particularly in the development of antisocial or prosocial behavior, utilizing research models based on television consumption. This project addresses the gap in existing research by exploring how interactivity — a quality unique to video games — affects the consumption of video games in developing behavioral patterns.

    Audiences engage with four categories of video games. Neutral games are characterized by reward-based accomplishments; education games are characterized by attempting to reinforce knowledge gain in players; prosocial games are characterized by similar systems as the previous categories while also utilizing prosocial behaviors in the rules, procedures, and rewards; and cooperative-aggressive games are characterized by a collection of players working together collaboratively, even when violence is depicted in the rules, procedures, and rewards.

    Using self-determination theory and attachment style theory, the research explores the intersection of need fulfilment and the development of prosocial behaviors as seen through the playing and watching of video games of varying contents and social contexts.

    Self-determination findings indicate that playing neutral and educational games slightly affect prosocial behavior; playing prosocial games satisfies the social and psychological needs of players, even reducing general aggression; playing cooperative-aggressive games sees the largest benefit to prosocial behaviors, and sees a reduction in hostile or aggressive thoughts. However, attachment style theory indicates that those who exclusively watch others play video games may not see any such benefits.

    These conclusions contribute to ongoing applications of communication theory in the critical analysis of video games and how social contexts in which play occurs may supersede the impact of violent or non-violent content.

The use of satirical and violent imagery, such as depictions of Kenya’s President William Ruto in a coffin, signals a form of online radicalization that blends political dissent with visual provocation. Rather than being linked solely to organized extremist groups, this form of radicalization is emerging as a widespread, youth-driven response to state policies and governance failures. The use of political cartoons and digital illustrations to ridicule leadership has intensified since the #RejectTheFinanceBill and #RutoMustGo campaigns, which sparked nationwide, youth-led street protests and a social media uproar in June 2024. As such, it is important to take stock of how the use of satirical and violent imagery presents a new form of online radicalization. The case study interrogates perspectives on everyday forms of radicalization and social media platform X from the Global South. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis of the original tweet of Kenya’s President William Ruto visualized in a coffin, we seek to answer the following: (1) To what extent did the use of the cartoons serve as a tool for online radicalization in Kenya? (2) How does the use of satirical and violent imagery amplify the emotions of anger and frustration among the Kenyan public?

Preliminary results point to three broad findings: (1) Outrage, Rebellion, and the "Us vs. Them" Mentality: The depiction of President William Ruto in a coffin exemplifies how online users express outrage and frustration when they feel unheard. This aggressive rhetoric can escalate into calls for drastic action, reinforcing a polarized "us vs. them" mentality, where opponents are framed as adversaries rather than individuals with differing perspectives. (2) Evolution of Extreme Aggression and Violent Imagery: The use of violent and aggressive imagery in online spaces is fluid and dynamic, shifting based on political contexts and emerging issues. Rather than remaining static, these expressions of extreme aggression morph to align with the changing political climate, demonstrating how digital activism can escalate in response to perceived injustices. (3) Radicalization as a Continuous Process: Online radicalization is not a singular event but a gradual and ongoing process often described as "injecting" ideas into digital political spaces by Kenyans on X. Rather than emerging solely from protest movements that started in June 2024, radicalization has continued to evolve through persistent exposure to extreme content and reinforcement of aggressive narratives over time. With these findings, political tensions heightened, becoming a breeding ground for extreme political instability, deepening divisions among actors, and perpetuating unrest and violence. This study highlights the intricate nature of online radicalization, urging scholars to critically examine the evolving dynamics of everyday digital political engagement. It calls for a deeper exploration of methodologies that integrate intersectionality, social media, and radicalization to better understand these shifting landscapes.