The Assessment of Interpersonal Attraction and Group Identification in Virtual Group Network

Online video games are a popular leisure activity around the world; such virtual environments enable new ways for social identity to develop. This study investigated the motives affecting social identification processes in the massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) World of Warcraft (WoW). In this video game, players interact with other players in a tridimensional virtual world through their avatar. A sample of 92 WoW players took part in a data collection Web survey. Building on the theory of social identity, we tested the predictive power of three identification motives: self-esteem enhancement, optimal distinctiveness, and uncertainty reduction. Additionally, considering previous research on MMORPGs, we added identification with the game character and membership duration as further predictors of virtual group identification. The construct of virtual group identification was analyzed at two levels: identification with the faction and guild of the character. Furthermore, the current study was a first attempt to understand whether online identification may lead to group behavior such as evaluative ingroup bias. Our results indicated that traditional motivational theories of social identity were mostly confirmed. Moreover, identification with the avatar emerged as a strong predictor of group identity. Additionally, at both levels of analysis, group attachment led to an evaluative differentiation between the ingroup and outgroup. The findings are discussed in light of modern theories of social identity and media research.

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The Virtual Group Identification Process: A Virtual Educational Community Case

CyberPsychology & Behavior ◽

10.1089/cpb.2007.9929 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 87-90 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Chia-Ping Yu ◽

Mei-Lein Young

Keyword(s):

Group Identification ◽

Educational Community ◽

Identification Process ◽

Virtual Group

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Working Hard to Achieve Self-Defining Group Goals: A Social Identity Analysis

Zeitschrift für Sozialpsychologie ◽

10.1024//0044-3514.31.4.191 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 191-203 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Kelly S. Fielding ◽

Michael A. Hogg

Keyword(s):

Social Identity ◽

Group Identification ◽

Group Norms ◽

Identity Threat ◽

Traditional Research ◽

Identity Model ◽

Group Goals ◽

And Performance ◽

Substantial Effort

Summary: A social identity model of effort exertion in groups is presented. In contrast to most traditional research on productivity and performance motivation, the model is assumed to apply to groups of all sizes and nature, and to all membership contingent norms that specify group behaviors and goals. It is proposed that group identification renders behavior group-normative and encourages people to behave in line with group norms. The effect should be strengthened among people who most need consensual identity validation from fellow members, and in intergroup contexts where there is inescapable identity threat from an outgroup. Together these processes should encourage people to exert substantial effort on behalf of their group.

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Network Autocorrelation of Task Performance via Informal Communication Within a Virtual World

Journal of Media Psychology Theories Methods and Applications ◽

10.1027/1864-1105/a000129 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 33-44 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Caleb T. Carr ◽

Paul Zube

Keyword(s):

Task Performance ◽

Virtual World ◽

World Of Warcraft ◽

Online Game ◽

Informal Communication ◽

Online Groups ◽

Network Autocorrelation ◽

Virtual Group ◽

Group Members ◽

Individual Achievement

Network autocorrelation occurs when individuals receive assistance from others which regulates their own behavior, and it can be used to explain how group members may improve their task performance. This study explored how network autocorrelation, via informal communication within a virtual group, affected an individual’s task achievement in the online game World of Warcraft. Informal interactions between guild members during a 4-year period were collected and analyzed to assess how informal interactions with other group members affected an individual’s in-game achievement. Findings indicate informal communication from other group members (specifically the experience and helpfulness of the other members) positively predict an individual’s task performance, while tenure with the group negatively predict individual achievement. Findings are discussed with respect to network analysis and influence in online groups.

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Effects of Human vs. Computer-Controlled Characters and Social Identity Cues on Enjoyment

Journal of Media Psychology Theories Methods and Applications ◽

10.1027/1864-1105/a000218 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 35-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jorge Peña ◽

Jannath Ghaznavi ◽

Nicholas Brody ◽

Rui Prada ◽

Carlos Martinho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Identity ◽

Social Presence ◽

Group Identification ◽

Virtual Character ◽

Character Type ◽

Computer Controlled ◽

Media Enjoyment ◽

Identification Processes

Abstract. This study explored how group identification, avatar similarity identification, and social presence mediated the effect of character type (avatars or agents) and social identity cues (presence or absence of avatars wearing participants’ school colors) on game enjoyment. Playing with teammate avatars increased enjoyment indirectly by enhancing group identification. In addition, the presence of social identity cues increased enjoyment indirectly by augmenting identification with one’s avatar. Unexpectedly, playing in multiplayer mode in the presence of social identity cues decreased enjoyment, whereas playing in multiplayer mode in the absence of social identity cues increased enjoyment. Social presence was not a reliable mediator. The findings supported media enjoyment and social identity theories, and highlighted how virtual character type and identification processes influence enjoyment.

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