Motivational engagement and video gaming: a mixed methods study

    Authors

    B. Hoffman;L. Nadelson

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    ETR&D-Educ. Tech. Res. Dev.

    Keywords

    Motivation; Video gaming; Engagement; SELF-DETERMINATION THEORY; EGO ORIENTATION; FLOW EXPERIENCE; PERFORMANCE; GAMES; TASK; SPORT; WORK; Education & Educational Research

    Abstract

    A mixed methods design was used to identify factors associated with motivational engagement in video gaming. Self-report instruments were administered to 189 video game players to assess goal orientations, affect, need for cognition, and perceptions of engagement and flow. Simultaneously, a sub-set of 25 participants were interviewed and results analyzed to identify patterns that influenced their propensity for gaming. Regression results revealed motivational engagement for gaming was related to gender, hours of play, task orientation, and socialization. Players indicated that gaming was socially captivating, fun, challenging but relaxing, and precipitated positive affect and cognition even when unsuccessful results were achieved. The negative consequences normally associated with task failure were not reported by participants to take place during gaming. We concluded transfer of motivational engagement in gaming for entertainment to educational contexts was unlikely to occur.

    Journal Title

    Etr&D-Educational Technology Research and Development

    Volume

    58

    Issue/Number

    3

    Publication Date

    1-1-2010

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    245

    Last Page

    270

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000276710300001

    ISSN

    1042-1629

    Share

    COinS