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On the frontier - An interesting psychological experiment about 'the self'

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Llyandrian
Livestock Science Exchange
#41 - 2012-04-14 13:18:08 UTC

This is a Briggs Myers test, I might be interesting to see what different personality types select as character personality type, if there is any correlation.
Urgg Boolean
Center for Advanced Studies
Gallente Federation
#42 - 2012-04-14 14:52:18 UTC
Llyandrian wrote:

This is a Briggs Myers test, I might be interesting to see what different personality types select as character personality type, if there is any correlation.

I think they missed the boat. They could be researching the connection between personality traits and/or latent/repressed desires to how/why we made our avatars the way we did. That would be a much more entertaining study.
Corvus Amicus
Center for Advanced Studies
Gallente Federation
#43 - 2012-04-14 16:20:27 UTC
Hello again!

I see there are some more question and thoughts popping up and I'll try to adress those as best I can.

#1 - Liang Nuren:
Quote:
I'm not sure what to do with that section because there's really no "character Liang".

I know exactly what you mean. However, this does not affect or harm our research.

Your monopoly shoe has not had the chance to communicate, make friends and explore a new world (unless you play monopoly by more complex rules than I do). This expression through your character (regardsless of if this character is "just you") is what we're after (among other things). The same could be said about CS (it lacks the depth and repercussions of EVE).

Quote:
...assume that the person has constructed a second "persona" to play online.

In this case we do not have to make such assumptions, the only assumptions we make are ones about how people communicate and behave through the avatar, not on it's behalf.

Concerning some of the questions not being applicable in-game: This is understandable. However, if an art gallery would open, would you go? If there was such a thing as counterfeit ISK, would you use it? It's more general probing than precise scenarios.

#2 - Urgg Boolean:

Quote:
Personally, I think researching any inferred sociopathic dysfunction would have been a much more interesting study

I see you are very interested about what kind of research can be done into sociopathy in online games! However interesting that subject is, it's not one of our goals in this research. Hopefully we will be able to do delve deeper into EVE and maybe one day we'll arrive at antisocial behavior. For now, this will have to do. :)

#3 - Llyandrian:

Quote:
This is a Briggs Myers test

This is not a Briggs Myers test.

Thanks for the input and responses everyone!

-Corvus
Alain Kinsella
#44 - 2012-04-14 19:12:47 UTC  |  Edited by: Alain Kinsella
I've been to an event in-game that did have a musical component (did not know at the time that it would happen), was actually quite fun. Stuff like this usually surfaces in the IGS subforum though, which may explain why its not widely known.

Interesting survey to say the least.

"The Meta Game does not stop at the game. Ever."

Currently Retired / Semi-Casual (pending changes to RL concerns).
Antihrist Pripravnik
Scorpion Road Industry
#45 - 2012-04-15 22:44:21 UTC
Done.

Good luck with your research.
Khergit Deserters
Crom's Angels
#46 - 2012-04-16 17:40:00 UTC
Urgg Boolean wrote:
I have noticed some severe pyschological disturbances among the 0.0 roaming gang population. It's the kind of thing that makes me think the humans behind the toons are seriously dysfunctional closet sociopaths.

^ I'd thought that I was entirely alone in thinking something similar. Here's hoping some of that really is just online fun... and not the way these guys really think in RL.
Inago Yaki
Sebiestor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#47 - 2012-04-16 18:40:56 UTC
Liang Nuren wrote:
Gilbaron wrote:
i just made it through to part 2, questions about my ingame character

i neither roleplay something different than myself nor identify myself with the ingame character at all, i much more enjoy socialising with the guys (no girls in eve :( ) behind the character

so i answered all questions with 3, he/she wouldnt do anything at all, its simply me (with much less hair)


Yeah, pretty much. I'm not sure what to do with that section because there's really no "character Liang". It's like asking what my monopoly shoe would do if there was an art museum in the game. I guess it'd buy it and roll for the next square... charge rent to anyone that came through later.

-Liang

Everbody who got hung up on the art gallery question for their toon should just click "1 - Strongly Disagree." You are not an imagination/artsy type in-game or out-of-game.Big smile
Lenore Leelu
Obsidian Dynamics
#48 - 2012-04-16 23:32:25 UTC
I think I do answer differently to my puppet master... but not much...

(but now I want art galleries and classical music (in Stations!))
Ch3244
Native Freshfood
Minmatar Republic
#49 - 2012-04-17 04:43:54 UTC
Do we get ingame drugs or the real ones?
Norxil
Aliastra
Gallente Federation
#50 - 2012-04-17 10:18:21 UTC
The test asks about the RL stuff like age and gender but does not ask it about the ingame char. There could be a big difference between high-sec, low-sec and/or 0.0 type of characters. I would like to see the paper online when it is finished though :)
Louis deGuerre
The Dark Tribe
#51 - 2012-04-17 12:00:41 UTC
Halfway through, I clicked next button and the questionaire reset and and went back to question 1
Zleon Leigh
#52 - 2012-04-17 21:48:38 UTC
Louis deGuerre wrote:
Halfway through, I clicked next button and the questionaire reset and and went back to question 1


Wow - even the test didn't believe you. Cry

Lol

Incarna - Newest business example of mismanaged capital. CCP - Continuing to gank independent PI producers every day

PvP's latest  incentive program ** Unified Inventory **  'Cause you gotta kill something after trying to use it
Large Collidable Object
morons.
#53 - 2012-04-18 11:45:38 UTC  |  Edited by: Large Collidable Object
Khergit Deserters wrote:
Urgg Boolean wrote:
I have noticed some severe pyschological disturbances among the 0.0 roaming gang population. It's the kind of thing that makes me think the humans behind the toons are seriously dysfunctional closet sociopaths.

^ I'd thought that I was entirely alone in thinking something similar. Here's hoping some of that really is just online fun... and not the way these guys really think in RL.



I don't think most of them are rl psychopaths - take goons as an example:

A real goon (so not a WIgoon or something like that) comes into this game and is a goon from day one - he gets told "Here you go - you're a goon and this is what we do: Be as much of a psychopathic asshat and pain in the arse for everyone else as you can possibly imagine".

I'm convinced that whilst appearing as completely dysfunctional twats ingame, most of them are perfectly normal nerds who are just roleplaying douchebags - just look at Mittens' fanfest presentation.

I think that playstyle may be quite entertaining and help stress relief after a hard days work.

Concerning the survey itself: Just completed it some questions really were a bit odd and the question as to 'what my character would do' is really a bit awkward. My characters are just files containing information about skills, standings etc... - just like ships containing modules. To answer the questions, I had to rephrase them to "what would you do/how would people perceive you ingame" as opposed to the previous rl questions.
You know... [morons.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gjOx65yD5A)
Khergit Deserters
Crom's Angels
#54 - 2012-04-18 14:16:46 UTC
Large Collidable Object wrote:
Khergit Deserters wrote:
Urgg Boolean wrote:
I have noticed some severe pyschological disturbances among the 0.0 roaming gang population. It's the kind of thing that makes me think the humans behind the toons are seriously dysfunctional closet sociopaths.

^ I'd thought that I was entirely alone in thinking something similar. Here's hoping some of that really is just online fun... and not the way these guys really think in RL.



I don't think most of them are rl psychopaths - take goons as an example:

A real goon (so not a WIgoon or something like that) comes into this game and is a goon from day one - he gets told "Here you go - you're a goon and this is what we do: Be as much of a psychopathic asshat and pain in the arse for everyone else as you can possibly imagine".

I'm convinced that whilst appearing as completely dysfunctional twats ingame, most of them are perfectly normal nerds who are just roleplaying douchebags - just look at Mittens' fanfest presentation.

I think that playstyle may be quite entertaining and help stress relief after a hard days work.

Concerning the survey itself: Just completed it some questions really were a bit odd and the question as to 'what my character would do' is really a bit awkward. My characters are just files containing information about skills, standings etc... - just like ships containing modules. To answer the questions, I had to rephrase them to "what would you do/how would people perceive you ingame" as opposed to the previous rl questions.

I can see your point. That's a good example of separating RL and ingame life. It's kind of RP, really. Goons do it with style, too (videos, posters, blogs, etc.)
On the other hand, I'm not so sure that everybody being sociopath in this game is separating RL from ingame life. Dominate somebody, humiliate him, collect tears, enjoy lulz. (And at the same time be a little anxious that the same might happen to you). It's a psychology with some people, not ingame RPing.
Large Collidable Object
morons.
#55 - 2012-04-18 21:10:51 UTC  |  Edited by: Large Collidable Object
Khergit Deserters wrote:

I can see your point. That's a good example of separating RL and ingame life. It's kind of RP, really. Goons do it with style, too (videos, posters, blogs, etc.)
On the other hand, I'm not so sure that everybody being sociopath in this game is separating RL from ingame life. Dominate somebody, humiliate him, collect tears, enjoy lulz. (And at the same time be a little anxious that the same might happen to you). It's a psychology with some people, not ingame RPing.



There may be some RL sociopaths playing and a game like eve certainly attracts this type, but from my experience most of the people appearing the most sociopathic are failures in RL compensating for the humiliations they suffer every minute not logged in. Would they kill random people in the street? No - they pack your shopping bag at wallmart if they have a job at all, go home and log on.

Eve is often called the smart persons MMO and most of the people I know for longer have a job, a degree of some kind and live a good life whilst they gank, scam and rob corps.

But of course it has a huge portion of chavs and white trash who "should of started" doing "gankz for teh lulz" way earlier, but these people usually come and go because they eventually find out that they just fail as much in Eve as they do in RL.

Eve-self esteem replaced their RL self esteem and I'm not sure if the questions asked in this survey weren't too obvious - but then again, I'm not a sociologist.

Anyway - I'm interested in the results nonetheless.
You know... [morons.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gjOx65yD5A)
Helicity Boson
Immortalis Inc.
Shadow Cartel
#56 - 2012-04-19 02:01:22 UTC
I think half of EVE is convinced I'm sociopath. heh.
Khergit Deserters
Crom's Angels
#57 - 2012-04-20 13:30:33 UTC
Large Collidable Object wrote:
Khergit Deserters wrote:

I can see your point. That's a good example of separating RL and ingame life. It's kind of RP, really. Goons do it with style, too (videos, posters, blogs, etc.)
On the other hand, I'm not so sure that everybody being sociopath in this game is separating RL from ingame life. Dominate somebody, humiliate him, collect tears, enjoy lulz. (And at the same time be a little anxious that the same might happen to you). It's a psychology with some people, not ingame RPing.



There may be some RL sociopaths playing and a game like eve certainly attracts this type, but from my experience most of the people appearing the most sociopathic are failures in RL compensating for the humiliations they suffer every minute not logged in. Would they kill random people in the street? No - they pack your shopping bag at wallmart if they have a job at all, go home and log on.

Eve is often called the smart persons MMO and most of the people I know for longer have a job, a degree of some kind and live a good life whilst they gank, scam and rob corps.

But of course it has a huge portion of chavs and white trash who "should of started" doing "gankz for teh lulz" way earlier, but these people usually come and go because they eventually find out that they just fail as much in Eve as they do in RL.

Eve-self esteem replaced their RL self esteem and I'm not sure if the questions asked in this survey weren't too obvious - but then again, I'm not a sociologist.

Anyway - I'm interested in the results nonetheless.

+1 Pretty insightful there, I'd say.
Eternus8lux8lucis
Guardians of the Gate
RAZOR Alliance
#58 - 2012-04-20 14:09:03 UTC
Large Collidable Object wrote:
Khergit Deserters wrote:

I can see your point. That's a good example of separating RL and ingame life. It's kind of RP, really. Goons do it with style, too (videos, posters, blogs, etc.)
On the other hand, I'm not so sure that everybody being sociopath in this game is separating RL from ingame life. Dominate somebody, humiliate him, collect tears, enjoy lulz. (And at the same time be a little anxious that the same might happen to you). It's a psychology with some people, not ingame RPing.



There may be some RL sociopaths playing and a game like eve certainly attracts this type, but from my experience most of the people appearing the most sociopathic are failures in RL compensating for the humiliations they suffer every minute not logged in. Would they kill random people in the street? No - they pack your shopping bag at wallmart if they have a job at all, go home and log on.

Eve is often called the smart persons MMO and most of the people I know for longer have a job, a degree of some kind and live a good life whilst they gank, scam and rob corps.

But of course it has a huge portion of chavs and white trash who "should of started" doing "gankz for teh lulz" way earlier, but these people usually come and go because they eventually find out that they just fail as much in Eve as they do in RL.

Eve-self esteem replaced their RL self esteem and I'm not sure if the questions asked in this survey weren't too obvious - but then again, I'm not a sociologist.

Anyway - I'm interested in the results nonetheless.


The thing there is that a lot of people compensate, even the so called successful types, as often they are the most drive, perfectionists and hard on themselves seeing failure where others do not. So sure they are compensating, often on a subconscious level and are completely unaware of what they are doing yet so are a myriad of others. Stereotyping one group to denigrate them, though amusing, is fail imo. The reality that so many people fail to live up to their or others expectations of themselves throughout all walks of life is a paramount factor in human psychology and behaviors. As well as what they do to compensate for these shortcomings, again be they perceived or "real" and I use that term loosely.

To say that those that fail at Eve are only the lowest common denominator within a bracket of society is again stereotypically foolish. And though it makes for great post and reading for the lolz it again fails at the reality. Many people who you might consider smart or successful in RL will also fail at Eve for many different reasons.

Now coming to replacing self esteem. Self esteem is built through many sources the most common of which is feedback from a peer group. ANY peer group will do. Surrounding yourself with enough people who think or act like you that will also applaud or laud your behavior, thought pattern, words or actions can create self esteem. The larger the peer group the greater the worth, generally, that is felt by an individual. If you arent a bookworm getting straight As in school often you may find acceptance and self worth and self esteem from sports or athletic achievements, or perhaps through music or fine arts. In fact the pursuit of self worth and self esteem is utmost in ones life. This is often why people GAME, and like you have alluded to it amounts to finding a peer group that supports or understands ones beliefs, ideas or ideas, behaviors and thoughts...such as Eve. Yes this is a peer group. And yes there are MANY people who take self worth from what is being done in game, even posting on these forums.

In fact the ONLY question would be the argument of what is or is not worthwhile replacement activities that create self esteem. As that would result in a neverending argument simply due to differing thoughts or ideas amoung people much like which is the best government party to vote for will do. Its based on nothing but opinion.

Just some food for thought.

Have you heard anything I've said?

You said it's all circling the drain, the whole universe. Right?

That's right.

Had to end sometime.
Mars Theran
Foreign Interloper
#59 - 2012-04-21 10:26:46 UTC  |  Edited by: Mars Theran
Interesting test and questions. The bit about my character was odd but understandable. I only really apply basic concepts to my character that represent personal ideology more than anything else. My character simply represents something I can respect and not much else. Aside from that it's me, except for that big game hunter/hero bit, but that's just an archetype. Smile

edit: Ah, and I might add that without context 'Bribe' is rather ambiguous. There isn't really a way to clearly state one way or another whether it would be accepted or not. Technically speaking, something as simple as a business promotion of free cofee is a bribe. I accept these and many others like them all the time, and yet there is no way I would accept a bribe to turn over the key to someones house or turncoat on my employer, or anything else like that.

Kind of left things wide open on that one. In-game obviously there isn't much ambiguity so I had little issue with answering it for my character however.

Should be interesting to see how this all turns out and what you make of it.
zubzubzubzubzubzubzubzub
AureoBroker
Perkone
Caldari State
#60 - 2012-04-21 23:56:52 UTC
Who else instantly thought of the "free money as a psychology data gathering"" scam?
Glad to see it really happened Smile