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Introduction
This study examines why people chose to use online games, how people chose to use online games and what types of online games they choose to play. The study hypothesizes that there is a connection between the personality of a person and their reasons for playing an online game and their behavior in online games. For example, the study mentions that perhaps the amount of time spent on online games and the type of online games can be predicted from the personality traits of the prospective player.
Introduction
This study examines why people chose to use online games, how people chose to use online games and what types of online games they choose to play. The study hypothesizes that there is a connection between the personality of a person and their reasons for playing an online game and their behavior in online games. For example, the study mentions that perhaps the amount of time spent on online games and the type of online games can be predicted from the personality traits of the prospective player.
Figure 1- Screenshot of Second Life, an online game
Second Life allows users to meet new friends, explore and create worlds. Second life also notably has an in world currency that can be exchanged for any other currency. Image taken without permission from: http://i2.listal.com/image/648585/936full-second-life-screenshot.jpg
History and Background
There has been ongoing investigation into the best theory to describe online behavior. Competing theories are the value model and the personality model, although they have some overlap and can possibly be combined. This study draws on results from Yee and Przybylski. Yee, in a previous paper, identified 10 motivational factors and then organized them into three main categories. Przybylski identified several different motivational factors. The study also draws on results from United Kingdom and Germany.
Theory and Results
There are are wide variety of theories that attempt to explain social behavior online. The study did conclude that "personality traits are only relevant to the reason why people value online gaming."
The study did verify the expectation "that females generally value relationships more than males [and also determined] that the burdens of life and responsibilities increase with age, motivating individuals to escape and take a break from the real world." This study reveals that the existing theories do not fully explain the results and they will need to continue to be developed.
Figure 2- Table of Data from the paper, Exploring the Links Between Personality Traits and Motivations to Play Online Games.
Method
The study used a method called factor analysis to identify motivational factors that play a role when an online video game player chooses what games to play and how to play the games. Some of the motivational factors identified played different roles than others.
Social Network and My Opinion
Although not explicitly stated, we can argue that the results of the behavior in online games can be used to study the behavior of a user of a social network. Indeed, the results and conclusions could be very helpful in developing new theories to understand all online behavior including social networks. The differences in age(greater need for escapism) and gender(females valued relationships more) were interesting and probably helpful for advertisement agencies. Perhaps the combination of the Personality and Value model would successfully predict behavior.
I think that this study is informative, interesting, and very relevant to the Jour298i. I think that intuitively we would agree with the hypothesis that online behavior is connected to personality traits. I am glad that I chose this study. This study ties in nicely with the study concerning online versus offline disclosure of information.
Source
Jowon Park, Ph.D.,
Yosep Song, Ph.D.
Ching-I Teng, Ph.D.
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