Personality and Game Playing: Identity formation and Ego Development
Date
2000
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Producer
Director
Performer
Choreographer
Costume Designer
Music
Videographer
Lighting Designer
Set Designer
Crew Member
Funder
Rehearsal Director
Concert Coordinator
Advisor
Moderator
Panelist
Alternative Title
Department
Haverford College. Department of Psychology
Type
Thesis
Original Format
Running Time
File Format
Place of Publication
Date Span
Copyright Date
Award
Language
eng
Note
Table of Contents
Terms of Use
Rights Holder
Access Restrictions
Haverford users only
Terms of Use
Tripod URL
Identifier
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to uncover the relationship between personality and game-playing. 266 subjects completed questionnaires regarding one of three games chosen on their popularity as multi-player online games. Game types were compared between subjects on adjective and Big-5 self-ratings, and within subjects on adjective rating differences between real life and within game states. Results showed a distinct typology of games between the chosen game types. In game differences were shown between the within game adjective and personality ratings. Quake players rated higher conscientiousness than Everquest players, and rated higher in general on the adjectives relating to aggression and competition, while Everquest players' ratings indicated a dimension of social intimacy and cooperation. Starcraft players rated themselves lower on openness and higher in general on some of the competitive adjectives than Everquest players, but were lower than Quake on aggressive and bold ratings. Gender differences were apparent in extraversion ratings as well as adjective ratings reflecting trust and cooperation. Players indicated that game-playing fulfills the desire to be someone you are not in real life and may offer them the chance to find a more well defined ego or stronger identity.