Skip to main content

Applying Insights from Behavioral Finance and Learning Theory in Designing a Financial Education Serious Game for Secondary School Students

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Game-based Learning Across the Disciplines

Part of the book series: Advances in Game-Based Learning ((AGBL))

Abstract

Financial literacy, the ability to handle money and financial matters, is considered a twenty-first-century skill. However, traditional financial education programs show insufficient success in promoting financial literacy, as they neglect financial decisions in particular. Serious games are a promising way to meet these challenges. This chapter describes the development of a serious game that aims to promote short-term financial decisions. To simulate real financial decisions, insights from behavioral finance, theories of learning and motivation, and game design were merged. This chapter will discuss why these theories are suitable for financial education and the extent to which these theories were taken into account in the development of the financial education serious game. The final game is presented, and the theories considered in the game are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Altman, M. (2012). Implications of behavioural economics for financial literacy and public policy. The Journal of Socio-Economics, 41(5), 677–690.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, R. J., Logan, T. D., & Sinkey, M. J. (2018). Identifying confirmatory bias in the field. Journal of Sports Economics, 19(1), 50–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aprea, C., Schultheis, J., & Stolle, K. (2018). Instructional integration of digital learning games in financial literacy education. In T. A. Lucey & K. S. Cooter (Eds.), Financial literacy for children and youth (Second ed., pp. 69–88). Peter Lang US.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aprea, C., & Wuttke, E. (2016). Financial literacy of adolescents and young adults: Setting the course for a competence-oriented assessment instrument. In C. Aprea, E. Wuttke, K. Breuer, N. K. Koh, P. Davies, B. Greimel-Fuhrmann, & J. S. Lopus (Eds.), International handbook of financial literacy (pp. 397–414). Springer Singapore.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Aprea, C., Wuttke, E., Breuer, K., Koh, N. K., Davies, P., Greimel-Fuhrmann, B., & Lopus, J. S. (2016). Financial literacy in the twenty-first century: An introduction to the international handbook of financial literacy. In C. Aprea, E. Wuttke, K. Breuer, N. K. Koh, P. Davies, B. Greimel-Fuhrmann, & J. S. Lopus (Eds.), International handbook of financial literacy (pp. 1–4). Springer Singapore.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Clark, D. B., Tanner-Smith, E. E., & Killingsworth, S. S. (2016). Digital games, design, and learning: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Review of Educational Research, 86(1), 79–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Connolly, T. M., Boyle, E. A., MacArthur, E., Hainey, T., & Boyle, J. M. (2012). A systematic literature review of empirical evidence on computer games and serious games. Computers & Education, 59(2), 661–686.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cruz, C., Hanus, M. D., & Fox, J. (2015). The need to achieve: Players’ perceptions and uses of extrinsic meta-game reward systems for video game consoles. Computers in Human Behavior, 71, 516–524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.08.017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davies, P. (2015). Towards a framework for financial literacy in the context of democracy. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 47(2), 300–3016.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Daxhammer, R., & Facsar, M. (2018). Behavioral Finance: Verhaltenswissenschaftliche Finanzmarktforschung im Lichte begrenzt rationaler Marktteilnehmer (2. Auflage). UTB Betriebswirtschaftslehre: Vol. 8504. UVK-Verl.-Ges.

    Google Scholar 

  • Design-Based Research Collective. (2003). Design-based research: An emerging paradigm for educational inquiry. Educational Researcher, 32(1), 5–8. 35–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dickey, M. D. (2006). Game design narrative for learning: Appropriating adventure game design narrative devices and techniques for the Design of Interactive Learning Environments. Educational Technology Research and Development, 54(3), 245–263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Djaouti, D., Alvarez, J., & Jessel, J.-P. (2011). Classifying serious games: The G/P/S model. In P. Felicia (Ed.), Handbook of research on improving learning and motivation through educational games: Multidisciplinary approaches (pp. 118–136). IGI Global.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandes, D., Lynch, J. G., & Netemeyer, R. G. (2014). Financial literacy, financial education, and downstream financial behaviors. Management Science, 60(8), 1861–1883.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fox, J., & Bailenson, J. N. (2009). Virtual self-modeling: The effects of vicarious reinforcement and identification on exercise behaviors. Media Psychology, 12(1), 1–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garris, R., Ahlers, R., & Driskell, J. E. (2002). Games, motivation, and learning: A research and practice model. Simulation & Gaming, 33(4), 441–467.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, J. (2015). Introduction to game design, prototyping, and development: From concept to playable game-with Unity and C#. Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glaser, M., Noeth, M., & Weber, M. (2004). Behavioral finance. In D. J. Koehler & N. Harvey (Eds.), Blackwell handbook of judgment and decision making (First ed., pp. 525–546). Blackwell Pub..

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Gutter, M. S., Copur, Z., & Garrison, S. (2016). Do the financial behaviors of college students vary by their state’s financial education policies? In C. Aprea, E. Wuttke, K. Breuer, N. K. Koh, P. Davies, B. Greimel-Fuhrmann, & J. S. Lopus (Eds.), International handbook of financial literacy (pp. 217–247). Springer Singapore.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, C. I., Bailey, S. K. T., & Van Buskirk, W. L. (2017). Designing effective feedback messages in serious games and simulations: A research review. In P. Wouters & H. van Oostendorp (Eds.), Advances in game-based learning. Techniques to improve the effectiveness of serious games (pp. 119–140). Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahnemann, D., & Tversky, A. (1979). Prospect theory: An analysis of decision under risk. Econometrica: Journal of the Econometric Society, 47(2), 263–291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalmpourtzis, G. (2018). Educational game design fundamentals: A journey to creating intrinsically motivating learning experiences. Chapman and Hall/CRC.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kapp, K. M. (2012). The gamification of learning and instruction: Game-based methods and strategies for training and education. Essential resources for training and HR professionals. Pfeiffer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loerwald, D., & Stemmann, A. (2016). Behavioral finance and financial literacy. Educational implications of biases in financial decision making. In C. Aprea, E. Wuttke, K. Breuer, N. K. Koh, P. Davies, B. Greimel-Fuhrmann, & J. S. Lopus (Eds.), International handbook of financial literacy (pp. 25–38). Springer Singapore.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Lusardi, A. (2015). Financial literacy skills for the 21st century: Evidence from PISA. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 49(3), 639–659.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • OECD. (2017). Statistical Insights: What does household debt say about financial resilience? Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/sdd/fin-stats/statisticalinsightswhatdoeshouseholddebtsayaboutfinancialresilience.htm

  • Plass, J. L., Homer, B. D., & Kinzer, C. K. (2015). Foundations of game-based learning. Educational Psychologist, 50(4), 258–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plass, J. L., Homer, B. D., Milne, C., Jordan, T., Kalyuga, S., Kim, M., & Lee, H. (2009). Design factors for effective science simulations. International Journal of Gaming and Computer-Mediated Simulations, 1(1), 16–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prensky, M. (2001). Digital game-based learning. McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prosad, J. M., Kapoor, S., & Sengupta, J. (2015). Theory of behavioral finance. In A. Driouchi & Z. Copur (Eds.), Handbook of research on behavioral finance and investment strategies: Decision making in the financial industry (pp. 1–24). IGI Global.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qian, M., & Clark, K. R. (2016). Game-based learning and 21st century skills: A review of recent research. Computers in Human Behavior, 63, 50–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schultheis, J. & Aprea, C. (2020). Supporting game-based learning in financial education: Do conceptual scaffolds work? JURE conference (Junior Researchers of EARLI) Porto (Portugal). (Conference Canceled).

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, H. A. (1959). Theories of Decision-Making in Economics and Behavioral Science. American Economic Review, 49, 253–283.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sitzmann, T. (2011). A meta-analytic examination of the instructional effectiveness of computer-based simulation games. Personnel Psychology, 64(2), 489–528.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tobias, S., & Fletcher, J. D. (Eds.). (2011). Computer games and instruction. IAP Information Age Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tversky, A., & Kahnemann, D. (1974). Judgment under uncertainty: Heuristics and biases: Biases in judgments reveal some heuristics of thinking under uncertainty. Science, 185(4157), 1124–1131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Staalduinen, J. P., & de Freitas, S. (2011). A game-based learning framework: Linking game design and learning outcomes. In M. S. Khine (Ed.), New literacies and digital epistemologies (Learning to play: Exploring the future of education with video games) (Vol. 53, First ed., pp. 29–54). Peter Lang International Academic Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, K. A., Bedwell, W. L., Lazzara, E. H., Salas, E., Burke, C. S., Estock, J. L., Orvis, K. L., & Conkey, C. (2009). Relationships between game attributes and learning outcomes. Simulation & Gaming, 40(2), 217–266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wouters, P., van Nimwegen, C., van Oostendorp, H., & van der Spek, E. D. (2013). A meta-analysis of the cognitive and motivational effects of serious games. Journal of Educational Psychology, 105(2), 249–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yee, N., & Bailenson, J. (2006, August). Walk A Mile in Digital Shoes: The Impact of Embodied Perspective-Taking on The Reduction of Negative Stereotyping in Immersive Virtual Environments. Proceedings of PRESENCE 2006: The 9th annual international workshop on Presence, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoong, J. (2013). Can behavioural economics be used to make financial education more effective? In OECD (Ed.), Improving financial education efficiency: OECD-Bank of Italy symposium on financial literacy (pp. 65–101). OECD Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Julia Schultheis .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Schultheis, J., Aprea, C. (2021). Applying Insights from Behavioral Finance and Learning Theory in Designing a Financial Education Serious Game for Secondary School Students. In: Aprea, C., Ifenthaler, D. (eds) Game-based Learning Across the Disciplines. Advances in Game-Based Learning. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75142-5_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75142-5_1

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-75141-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-75142-5

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics