Wang, Chih-Chien & Wang, Chia-Hsin. 2008. Helping Others in Online Games: Prosocial Behavior in Cyberspace

Chih-Chien Wang Ph.D. and Chia-Hsin Wang M.B.A (June 1st, 2008). Helping Others in Online Games: Prosocial Behavior in Cyberspace

This study analyzes the reasons why players in MMOGs help each other. It also looks at how gender influences these interactions. They laid out two possible reasons for helpful player interactions which were altruism and reciprocity. Altruism leading a player to help another because they feel fulfilled by it. Reciprocity leading a player to help another because they expect help from the other in the future.

The study collected data through an online survey using a 5 point likert scale. The original sample size was 405 but only 402 fully completed the survey. The questions attempted to measure altruism and reciprocity. Additionally they attempted to differentiate between “prosocial behavior, prosocial behavior with same sex beneficiaries, and prosocial behavior with opposite-sex beneficiaries”. The survey was conducted on an online web community best known in Taiwan that was not specified.

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