Video Games as Conduits for Radicalization: Impact of Exposure to Extremist Recruitment and Authoritarianism on Sexist Attitudes and Aggression

Abstract

Public and academic interest in far-right recruitment through video games has surged, overshadowing the lesser examined area of far-left recruitment efforts. This imbalance persists despite the limited data on recruitment efforts and subsequent receptiveness for both ideological extremes. To address this gap, the present study investigated the recruitment dynamics of far-right and far-left groups within the Indian gaming community. Additionally, it examined how exposure to extremist content in video games, coupled with underlying authoritarianism, contributed to the development of sexist attitudes and aggression. A total of 395 active video gamers participated in the study (M<inf>age</inf> = 20.84 years, SD= 3.21, men= 87.10%, women = 12.90%). The results indicated that far-right and far-left recruitment efforts were infrequent yet notable experiences for gamers. It is also found that far-right exposure positively influenced hostile sexism, traditional male role norms, and aggression, often independent of authoritarian predispositions (right-wing authoritarianism). In contrast, far-left exposure influenced these constructs only through left-wing authoritarianism, highlighting an asymmetry in how ideological extremism interacts with individual tendencies. The study highlights the risks of disproportionately focusing on far-right recruitment efforts and authoritarianism over far-left counterparts, which has been a significant pitfall for the field. © 2025 American Psychological Association