Guided response 1: How do people interact with each other in MORPGs (multiplayer

Guided response 1: How do people interact with each other in MORPGs (multiplayer online role-playing games)?
The social science that would be most interested in this topic would be social psychology. Social psychology is the scientific study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence of others. Like sociology, it studies the social behavior of people. Social psychology also investigates how group dynamics, social norms, and cultural factors shape individual behavior and how social influence and persuasion can change attitudes and behaviors. In a MORPG game, people interact with each other in many ways using social psychology. One common way is forming groups or guilds, where players work together to achieve common goals. People also engage in social comparison, where they compare their own skills and abilities to others in the game. This can lead to either positive or negative emotions and can even motivate players to improve their own skills. People use social influence to persuade others to join their group or to adopt a certain strategy or play style.
The group of people that would be the research subjects in this study would be the players of the MORPG game. Since MORPG games are mostly online multiplayer/co-op games, the set of players come from diverse backgrounds from all over the world. This also includes their gender, age, ethnicity, etc. The players are the ones who engage in the social interactions and dynamics within these games. As players form groups or guilds, engage in social comparison, and use social influence to persuade others, they create a unique social environment that can be studied to better understand how people interact with each other in a virtual world. By studying these interactions, researchers can gain insight into human behavior, social psychology, and the impact of virtual environments on social interactions.
The research method that would be most appropriate to use for this research topic would be a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Quantitative methods, such as surveys or questionnaires, can provide statistical data on the frequency and patterns of certain behaviors or interactions within the game. Qualitative methods, such as interviews or observation, can provide a more detailed understanding of the motivations and experiences of players within the game. Researchers could use experimental methods to manipulate certain variables within the game environment and observe the effects on player behavior.
References
Sheppard, V. (2020). Chapter 10: Qualitative Data Collection & Analysis Methods. Pressbooks.bccampus.ca. https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/jibcresearchmethods/chapter/10-3-conducting-qualitative-interviews/
Sheppard, V. (2020). Chapter 11: Quantitative Interview Techniques & Considerations. Pressbooks.bccampus.ca. https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/jibcresearchmethods/chapter/11-1-conducting-quantitative-interviews/
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Guided response 2: The topic of how people interact with each other in multiplayer online role-playing games (MORPGs) would primarily interest psychologists, particularly those focusing on social psychology. This branch of psychology delves into how individuals’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. In the context of MORPGs, this translates to understanding group dynamics, social interactions, and individual behaviors within a virtual community.
The research subjects for this study would primarily be the players of MORPGs. These individuals come from diverse backgrounds in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, and geographical location, but they share a common interest in these games. By focusing on a variety of players, researchers can gain insights into how different demographic groups interact within these virtual worlds.
The most appropriate research method for this topic would be a mixed-method approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Qualitative methods, such as participant observation and in-depth interviews (Sheppard, 2020), would allow researchers to immerse themselves in the gaming environment to observe interactions and gather detailed, nuanced information about player behavior and social dynamics. This could involve playing the games themselves or watching recorded gameplay sessions.
On the other hand, quantitative methods, like surveys and analysis of in-game data (such as chat logs, player statistics, and behavioral patterns), would provide a broader view of how players interact across various MORPGs (Sheppard, 2020a). This would enable researchers to identify patterns and correlations in player behavior and social interactions. For instance, surveys could measure aspects like teamwork, communication patterns, and the impact of game mechanics on social behavior.
Overall, this research could contribute valuable insights into the social dynamics of virtual environments, illustrating how digital spaces can mirror, alter, or enhance social interactions compared to the physical world.
References
Sheppard, V. (2020a). 8.1 Survey Research: What Is It and When Should It Be Used? Pressbooks.bccampus.ca. https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/jibcresearchmethods/chapter/8-1-survey-research-what-is-it-and-when-should-it-be-used/
Sheppard, V. (2020). 10.1 Interview Research. Pressbooks.bccampus.ca. https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/jibcresearchmethods/chapter/10-1-interview-research/