Deviances in the Virtual Reality or the Character-Altering Power of Virtual Communities

Towards a Research Agenda for Social Work Practice in Virtual Worlds

“…However, there is some evidence that other social influences are absent within the virtual walls of Second Life and RPGs like it, which could have an impact on the implementation and effectiveness of social work interventions executed inworld. Parti (2008) explores how the relative freedom of expression and creation inworld can both enhance and degrade real-world social mores. The author discusses the implications of social construction in virtual reality and how this relates to the legal system in the real physical world.…”

“…Bell et al (2009) comment that there is a complete lack of government jurisdiction over virtual worlds as they, like the internet, are not a part of any country on Earth and, therefore, do not fall under the typical auspices of the law. Parti (2008) questions the integrity of the individual's real personality as she/he continues to become immersed in virtual reality, even perhaps eroding without the user's knowledge, as she/he places more attention, time, and energy into SL communications. Because virtual reality is a replica of reality, and one highly guided by imagination and illusion, it is difficult to know how strongly traditional social moral-ethical norms apply inworld.…”

“…Because virtual reality is a replica of reality, and one highly guided by imagination and illusion, it is difficult to know how strongly traditional social moral-ethical norms apply inworld. In her meta-analysis of several qualitative case studies done on users of RPGs and MUDs (Role Play Games and Multi-User Domains/Dungeons), Parti (2008) illuminates several examples of how the user dissociates from her/his avatar and considers the avatar to have a different personality, one that is enhanced, perfected, and capable of far more than the user her/himself. In doing so, belief in one's own ability to perform these activities and interpersonal interactions deteriorates, and she/he experiences a de-empowerment of self.…”

“…In doing so, belief in one's own ability to perform these activities and interpersonal interactions deteriorates, and she/he experiences a de-empowerment of self. Because the user does not identify with the avatar self, she/he does not necessarily feel satisfaction or a sense of success when the avatar succeeds, and she/he does not carry acquired social skills into RL interactions (Parti, 2008). Additional concerns include social learning and community mentality which can affect a moral attitude change and encourage negative deviant behavior such as computer hacking.…”

“…One of the many questions that remain unanswered is that of the relationship between users' virtual lives and their real lives. For instance, researchers in the field of virtual communications have questioned just how strong the influence of social mores, norms and laws are in internet-based virtual realities like Second Life, and what role accepted institutions such as education play in online interaction and learning (Boelstorff, 2008;Eastwick & Gardner, 2009;Parti, 2008). Understanding, or at least uncovering, the answers to these and other questions could help to determine the potential for using SL as an educational intervention tool and reveal just how the social work profession can exploit this venue for client-centered interventions.…”