Video Game Fun Rooted in Basic Psychological Needs
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New video games and cutting-edge consoles freshly unwrapped, millions of gamers are now sitting down with for what most perceive as a bit of post-holiday fun. However, researchers at the University of Rochester in New York report that the motivation to play video games is actually rooted far deeper than a need for mere amusement.
A set of studies examining the mental state and motives of 1,000 players pre- and post-game has found that the most enjoyable games actually provide "opportunities for achievement, freedom, and even a connection to other players" and may even "enhanc[e] psychological wellness, at least short-term." In the case of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) such as World of Warcraft which network thousands of players simultaneously, a sense of "relatedness" was also shown to greatly contribute to players' enjoyment, researchers reported. Read more: A Reason Why Video Games Are Hard to Give Up ABSTRACT: The Motivational Pull of Video Games: A Self-Determination Theory Approach SHARE:
Posted In: Stress & Coping | Tags: Happiness | Relatedness | Video Games | Posted by FindCounseling.com Staff on December 27, 2006 at 06:45 AM | Permalink |
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