Patterns of choices on video game genres and Internet addiction

In this study, we attempt to identify motives pivotal in choices made regarding online and offline game genres and assess whether they are meaningful predictors of Internet addiction. A separate goal was to determine how an assessment of Internet-related cognitions compares to criteria-based research instruments on Internet addiction, and demonstrate its clinical usefulness. We are using data from a cross-sectional study of the entire adolescent student population aged 12-18 of the island of Kos. Results indicate that specific game genres and motives for choosing a game are important predictors of Internet addiction, even after accounting for sociodemographic and Internet-use-related variables. Gender differences are not statistically important when we account for genre choices and motives for choosing them. Boys' thought content tends to revolve more around their Internet use compared to girls. Several patterns of motives to play specific genres were identified with the help of a canonical correlation analysis, demonstrating the fact that the simple observation of overt behavior is not enough to deduce the meaning of these actions for the individual. Using multiple measures of online addiction, examining genre preferences and underlying motives for choosing a game can be helpful in reaching a better understanding of the individual game player.     

Using the Step it UP! Game to increase physical activity during physical-education classes

The Step it UP! Game is an interdependent group reinforcement contingency based on the Good Behavior Game. We evaluated the effects of the Step it UP! Game on the number of steps taken by 3rd-grade students during physical-education (PE) classes at a local public elementary school. We divided the class into 2 teams and awarded a “Step it UP! Champ” badge to the members of the team with the highest mean step totals at the end of each game. We used a reversal design to compare the mean number of steps taken while playing the game and during regular PE classes. Overall, participants took more steps while playing the game than they did during class periods without the game. When given the opportunity to choose playing the Step it UP! Game or having regular PE class during a follow-up session, 16 of 18 participants voted to play the game.     

用安戈夫方法对网络成瘾与网络游戏成瘾的界定

旨在探讨网络成瘾与网络游戏成瘾的界定问题。采用标准设定中最为广泛使用的安戈夫方法对网络成瘾和网络游戏成瘾分别进行评定,最终得到的网络成瘾的界定量表,共有12个项目,界定分数为8,即受试者在12个项目中有8项作出肯定回答即被界定为网络成瘾;网络游戏成瘾的界定量表,共有10个项目,界定分数为7,即受试者在10个项目中有7项作出肯定回答即被界定为网络游戏成瘾。     

青少年网络游戏体验与网络游戏成瘾的交叉滞后分析

该研究采用青少年网络游戏体验量表和网络游戏成瘾量表,对北京某中学初一、初二、初三和高二年级247名中学生进行为期四个月的追踪研究,考察被试在追踪期间网络游戏成瘾倾向的变化,以及网络游戏体验与网络游戏成瘾的因果关系及其内在心理机制。结果表明:(1)青少年的网络游戏成瘾倾向在追踪研究期间保持相对稳定。(2)网络游戏体验与网络游戏成瘾相关显著。(3)交叉滞后分析结果表明,网络游戏体验是网络游戏成瘾的预测变量。进一步的回归分析表明,网络游戏体验对青少年网络游戏成瘾为同时性的预测。     

Exploring the links between personality traits and motivations to play online games

The present study explores the links between personality traits and motivations to play online games. We identified the underlying dimensions of motivations to play online games, examined how personality traits predict motivation, and investigated how personality traits predict online gaming behavior (i.e., playing time and preference for game genres). Factor analyses identified five motivational factors: relationships, adventure, escapism, relaxation, and achievement. The regression analyses indicated that two personality traits, extraversion and agreeableness, predicted various motivations; however, personality traits did not affect the playing time and game genre preference.     

The Relationship between Online Game Experience and Multitasking Ability in a Virtual Environment

Online game playing has become popular entertainment, yet its relationship with individuals' multitasking ability was inconsistent. Types of online game genre so far have not been compared and may be associated with multitasking abilities. This study proposed to explore the relationships between types of online game playing and multitasking ability, using Edinburgh Virtual Errands Test (EVET). One hundred and sixteen participants playing different online game genres, including multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA), other online game playing, and no‐online game playing were compared. Each participant was required to fill in Chen's Internet Addiction Scale and the Internet Usage Questionnaire and perform EVET and working memory tests. The results showed a positive correlation between multitasking ability and working memory. In addition, a positive association was found between MOBA‐type gaming and multitasking abilities measured by EVET. In conclusion, MOBA‐type gaming compared with other game playing is associated with better multitasking abilities in a virtual environment.Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Step it up! Using the good behavior game to increase physical activity with elementary school students at recess

We evaluated the effects of a modified version of the Good Behavior Game (GBG) on the number of steps taken by students during school recess. We divided a class into two teams, and awarded the team with the highest step counts at the end of each game raffle tickets for a school‐wide lottery. The GBG was compared to recess periods without the game using an alternating‐treatments design. Students took more steps while playing the GBG than they did during recess periods without the game.     

网络游戏成瘾者对成瘾相关线索的注意偏向：一项ERP研究

近年来,网络病态使用的一个子类-网络游戏成瘾已经引起了学术研究的兴趣。本研究采用修正版 Stroop实验范式-Online Game Stroop探讨网络游戏成瘾者的注意偏向过程。结果发现,在网络游戏成瘾组中,网络游戏相关词语与中性词语相比诱发了更高的P200以及P300的振幅,但在正常对照组中未发现相同结果。此线索-反应证实了网络游戏成瘾者对特有的成瘾相关线索的高度敏感化引起的注意偏向可能是其成瘾行为产生和维持的重要基础。     

Contributions of Game Genre and Masculinity Ideologies to Associations Between Video Game Play and Men’s Risk-Taking Behavior

Previous investigations of mainstream video games have documented a high prevalence of risk-promoting content, as well as a positive relation between video game play and participation in risk-taking behaviors such as reckless driving, substance use, and delinquency. In this study, we extend this work by investigating the role of video game genre and masculinity ideology within this relation. A sample of 273 undergraduate men from a large Midwestern university completed online surveys of their video game exposure, masculinity ideology, and participation in a range of high-risk behaviors. Results indicate that playing sports video games is associated with greater alcohol use, drug use, and delinquent behaviors, but action games are only associated with greater delinquency. In contrast, playing online video games was negatively associated with alcohol and drug use. Furthermore, the relation between sports video games and participation in risky behaviors was fully mediated by participants’ adherence to masculinity ideology. These results reveal that the relations between video game play and risk outcomes were strongest for sports video games, and in some cases, were mediated by masculinity ideology.     

网络游戏过度使用者的注意偏向及其ERP特征

网络成瘾与吸烟、饮酒等物质成瘾具有许多相似性,因此也可能存在类似的认知偏向和神经机制。本研究采用事件相关电位技术,通过点探测范式研究网络游戏过度使用者的注意偏向问题。结果显示：（1）与一般使用者相比,网络游戏过度使用者存在明显的注意偏向;（2）游戏图片对网络游戏过度使用者诱发的P2的振幅小于一般使用者;（3）网络游戏过度使用者对游戏图片位置上出现的探测点的加工（P1）较早。结果提示,网络游戏过度使用者的注意偏向存在特定的脑电模式。     

网络成瘾病理心理机制及综合心理干预研究

针对中国青少年网络成瘾问题,综合运用心理测评、深度访谈、脑事件相关电位、心率变异性等多层面的心理学研究方法,系统、深入研究网络问题的成因、病理心理机制、评估方法及心理干预方法等多项课题。依据得到的人群调查数据、网络成瘾者的心理测量结果、脑电与心电的生理心理学数据,同时结合临床干预疗效评估,提出研究结论：（1）使用谱系概念对中国青少年网络使用问题进行分型,并制定分型标准与评估方法;（2）从青少年心理发展角度分析了网络成瘾的形成原因,提出“失补偿”假说揭示网络成瘾形成过程;（3）提出“注意功能易化机制”从脑功能水平揭示网络“成瘾”病理心理机制;（4）制定“系统补偿综合心理干预”方案,包括团体、家庭、个体及家长干预等多项心理治疗方案,在临床研究中取得了良好实效     

Time distortion for expert and novice online game players.

Online game addiction is a new mental disorder. This disorder is difficult to describe because of its comprehensive nature. Many online game players have problems controlling their playing time. They cannot stop playing a game that they enjoy. This research surveyed the past literature on "flow" and time disorder theory. A time distortion experiment was conducted. This research invited 64 children, teenagers, and young adults to investigate player skill and playing time effects on online game break-off. The playing experience and degree of time distortion were measured and analyzed. The results showed that both novice and expert online game players were subject to time distortion. The participants had difficulty breaking off from the game without intrusion by others in the real world. This research also suggests eight questions for self-evaluation for online game addiction.     

Video game genre as a predictor of problem use

This study assessed how problem video game playing (PVP) varies with game type, or "genre," among adult video gamers. Participants (n=3,380) were adults (18+) who reported playing video games for 1 hour or more during the past week and completed a nationally representative online survey. The survey asked about characteristics of video game use, including titles played in the past year and patterns of (problematic) use. Participants self-reported the extent to which characteristics of PVP (e.g., playing longer than intended) described their game play. Five percent of our sample reported moderate to extreme problems. PVP was concentrated among persons who reported playing first-person shooter, action adventure, role-playing, and gambling games most during the past year. The identification of a subset of game types most associated with problem use suggests new directions for research into the specific design elements and reward mechanics of "addictive" video games and those populations at greatest risk of PVP with the ultimate goal of better understanding, preventing, and treating this contemporary mental health problem.     

台湾网络成瘾问题硕博士学术研究现况

综观台湾近几年来网络成瘾问题硕搏士研究论文：（1）研究方法采用问卷调查法、质性研究法、类实验设计法等三种型态作研究;（2）研究对象包含高中生、大学生、大学及研究生;（3）研究工具包括中文网络成瘾量表（C1AS）、上网效果正向预期量表、网效果负向预期量表、拒网自我效能量表网络使用调查表等共20种;（4）研究网络成瘾相关变项包括盛行率、性别、上网时数、游戏种类与成瘾的相关性、网络成瘾之认知模式等。长期使用网络在心理层面会形成依赖,在生理层面会形成一些类似戒断反映的症状,因此在享受科技化之际,去了解及认识它对人类各种身心社会的影响力势在必行,去思索改善不良的影响是研究者的责任及使命。     

Video game addiction in children and teenagers in Taiwan.

Video game addiction in children and teenagers in Taiwan is associated with levels of animosity, social skills, and academic achievement. This study suggests that video game addiction can be statistically predicted on measures of hostility, and a group with high video game addiction has more hostility than others. Both gender and video game addiction are negatively associated with academic achievement. Family function, sensation seeking, gender, and boredom have statistically positive relationships with levels of social skills. Current models of video game addiction do not seem to fit the findings of this study.     

网络成瘾的社会-心理-生理模型及研究展望

对于网络成瘾,目前还没有统一的诊断量表,相应的研究手段和研究方法也不够成熟,有关的理论解释更有待于进一步探讨。以众多实验和理论研究成果为基础提出的“社会-心理-生理”整合模型也许能更好地解释这一现象。网络成瘾者的大脑活动变化规律,网络虚拟情境的特征及其与上网行为、个性特征等的交互影响,以及网络交互过程中的情感交流和情感识别等问题,将是今后网络成瘾研究的重要课题。     

亲社会视频游戏中的合作对博弈决策中合作行为的影响

以38名大学生和研究生为被试,采用Chicken Game实验范式测量合作行为,考察了单人和双人合作模式游戏后,性别和游戏习惯对玩家在博弈决策中合作行为的影响。结果表明：（1）双人合作模式游戏可以促进玩家在博弈决策中的合作行为;（2）双人合作模式游戏后,男玩家（相比女玩家）在博弈决策中的合作行为更多;（3）玩游戏的习惯影响博弈决策中的合作行为,相比于经常习惯与现实朋友玩游戏和独自玩游戏的玩家,经常习惯与网友玩游戏的玩家在双人合作模式游戏后的合作行为更多。本研究不仅证实了一般学习模型,也证实了亲社会合作类视频游戏可以有效促进博弈决策中的合作行为。     

Increasing Class Participation in College Classrooms with the Good Behavior Game

Participation in college classrooms remains low, despite evidence that increased participation contributes to better grades. Incorporating active student educational strategies may help combat poor participation. The Good Behavior Game is a tool for improving various behaviors of children and adolescents in schools. However, strategies similar to the Good Behavior Game have not yet been assessed with young adults in college classrooms. We used an alternating treatments design to evaluate effects of a modified version of the Good Behavior Game on participation across three introductory psychology courses at a public university. We collected baseline data on class participation and then compared two variations of the Good Behavior Game—one included delivering a preferred reward to individuals on the winning team and one did not include a reward. Incorporating components of the Good Behavior Game increased class participation with and without a preferred reward, relative to baseline. Students reported preferring the game with a reward relative to the game with no reward and not playing the game. Because class participation has been correlated with better course grades, incorporating features of the Good Behavior Game may be a feasible approach for improving college students’ education.     

Playing linear numerical board games promotes low-income children's numerical development

The numerical knowledge of children from low-income backgrounds trails behind that of peers from middle-income backgrounds even before the children enter school. This gap may reflect differing prior experience with informal numerical activities, such as numerical board games. Experiment 1 indicated that the numerical magnitude knowledge of preschoolers from low-income families lagged behind that of peers from more affluent backgrounds. Experiment 2 indicated that playing a simple numerical board game for four 15-minute sessions eliminated the differences in numerical estimation proficiency. Playing games that substituted colors for numbers did not have this effect. Thus, playing numerical board games offers an inexpensive means for reducing the gap in numerical knowledge that separates less and more affluent children when they begin school.