Persuasion Game: Cross-Cultural Comparison

The Persuasion Game functions as a highly effective pedagogical tool for fostering environmental consciousness and encouraging energy-saving behaviors among university students. By facilitating structured communication regarding sustainability, the game successfully mitigates pluralistic ignorance—a social phenomenon where individuals privately hold environmental concerns but incorrectly assume their peers do not share these values. This intervention proves that active engagement can dismantle the social barriers that typically inhibit environmental discourse, regardless of the cultural context.

Empirical evidence gathered from quasi-experimental studies in Germany, Hong Kong, and Japan confirms that participation consistently increases both behavioral intentions and the perceived seriousness of environmental issues. While the game originated in Japan, its utility transcends cultural boundaries. Notably, Japanese participants, who initially reported the lowest levels of confidence in environmental persuasion and the least frequent communication on the topic, experienced the most significant shifts in subjective norms. These participants also provided the highest ratings for the game experience, suggesting that the intervention is particularly impactful in societies where environmental discussion is historically infrequent.

The findings establish the game as a versatile instrument for environmental education on a global scale. By normalizing the discussion of sustainability, the intervention empowers students to align their personal values with their social interactions. Ultimately, the game serves as a robust mechanism for bridging the gap between individual environmental awareness and collective social action, proving that interactive, communication-based strategies are essential for overcoming cultural reticence toward climate-related advocacy.