Gamers on Gaming

A Research Note Comparing Behaviors and Beliefs of Gamers, Video Game Players, and Non-Players

Bibliographic Data

ID2291967
AuthorsLisa A Kort‐butler (0000-0002-1880-8716, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume91
Issue4
Pages962-982
Publication date2021-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSociological Inquiry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0038-0245 • E-ISSN: 1475-682X
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/soin.12363
OpenAlexW3017704044
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited26

Research often conflates video game players and 'gamers,' defining gamers by time spent playing or by type of game played. Such operationalization may be a matter of convention or, more problematically, based on stereotypical beliefs about gamers. With a survey of nearly 900 young adults, this study compared self-identified gamers to other video game players and people who do not play video games. There were behavioral differences in terms of time played, but few attitudinal differences across the groups with regards perceptions of media violence. Non-players, compared to players and gamers, tended to hold more negative attitudes about video games and their effects. Non-players also tended to be more socially engaged and have more social support, but gamers were not socially isolated. Notably, hours played did not consistently correlate with beliefs and behaviors. Results demonstrate the importance of recognizing the theoretical, empirical, and practical distinctions among hours played, gamer stereotypes, and gamer identity

Convention · Empirical research · Identity (music) · Multimedia · Operationalization · Perception · Sociology · Video game · Computer Science · Digital Games and Media · Gender, Feminism, and Media · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Psychology · Social Psychology

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