POSSIBILITY OF A SIMPLE SELF-DISCLOSURE GAME TO ACTIVATE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN STRANGERS

An online Communication game with hidden faces

Abstract

We proposed a simple self-disclosure game to facilitate communication between strangers and examined its effectiveness. The game involved a quiz format with five or six players. Each player was quizzed on a pre-arranged theme about themselves, and the other players took turns guessing the answers. We tested four different conditions based on two factors, "individual match" or "team match" and "simple rule" or "complex rule," to determine which conditions were the most effective. All experiments were carried out online, and participants were asked to conceal their faces, which is not an ideal situation for icebreaker games. As a result, the participants enjoyed the game in all conditions, easily communicating or collaborating with others to find the answers. The basic game rules were effective, and the team system and the complexity did not have a significant impact on the game's effectiveness. We found the game an effective icebreaker because it allowed participants to easily start and continue conversations without awkward silences.