These forums have been archived and are now read-only.

The new forums are live and can be found at https://forums.eveonline.com/

EVE General Discussion

 
  • Topic is locked indefinitely.
 

Ask A Psychologist About EvE

Author
Caliph Muhammed
Perkone
Caldari State
#121 - 2012-05-14 14:13:56 UTC  |  Edited by: Caliph Muhammed
Macks Artilius wrote:
There's a lot of talk of "Sociopaths" in EVE so...

1. Would you say that the mechanics of EVE vs other online games would make it more appealing to sociopaths?

2. How can you "detect" a sociopath vs someone who is just a ****?

3. Why don't animals have wheels?



Being one, i'll give this one a go.

The mechanics of EVE are appealing to sociopaths in the sense that they're challenging. This particular sociopath (me) doesn't find scamming appealing, because ive been very attuned to other people's emotions, and mine as well, all my life. To a degree that most can't understand. Almost empathic. The process of manipulating someone is essentially too easy for someone like me and it's an activity avoided. On the reverse, gaining real trust is the challenge and it's an activity I enjoy in EVE. It doesn't imply I seek to get along with everyone, merely gain trust. Even if the trust is gained by living up precisely to my word in a negative way. If I tell you i'm going to wardec you and hunt you exclusively i'm very likely to do so, and probably on a level of tenacity that the average gamer wouldn't expect. And for a even longer duration than most would find sane.

One of the stronger draws to the mechanics of EVE is also the nature of the Dev Team. They don't change the rules on a month to month basis and that plays a huge part of it too.

Sociopaths tend to be intelligent and as such the act of complaining about a rule is somewhat beneath them. They'd assume keep the rule and find a way to overcome and achieve in spite of it, assuming its one they disagree with. A sociopathic miner is likely to become angry with a miner complaining about suicide ganks, as an example. There are nuances to that but if it has been proven doable then any rule to make what has been done already easier is likely to strike a nerve with them.

Ways to identify a sociopath? That's a tough one because the core nature of a sociopath is manipulation of emotion. Both others and their own. Some to a severe degree. From a feigned facial expression, a tone of voice, a posture or even the words chosen in a statement. A carefully structured question. All thoughts the sociopath ponders under certain circumstances.

If upon talking to someone you are struck with a notion that the person knows you on a more intimate level than the typical person/stranger would, you are very likely dealing with a sociopath. That effect you feel is very careful manipulation of the conversation by the sociopath by things they have read from you. Your posture, your mood, your cultural background, your appearance, your activity (profession related or other), etcetera.

Keep in mind that there isn't always a negative or harmful intent. The sociopath may very well want you to like them because they like you. And as the achievers they strive to be they find manipulating the situation for a desirable outcome to be honorable where parts of society may not.

There is a distinct possibility that somewhere in our universe an "animal" has developed something similiar to a wheel, as a bird developed a wing, as a means for survival and travel. Perhaps closer to a snail or snakes form of movement around a gelatinous membrane of some type. Like a mousewheel.
Iamien
Deep Core Mining Inc.
Caldari State
#122 - 2012-05-14 14:27:34 UTC
Why does this game attract so few female players in comparison to other mmos?
Zyress
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#123 - 2012-05-14 14:41:08 UTC
Why do some people feel bad about ruining another human being's day and others relish it. Does this say something about their inate character? When someone can be anything they want and they choose to be a villian without regard to the effects of their choice on other human beings, or in some cases because of the effect on other human beings, is this role-playing or is this saying something about who they are in reality?
Karn Dulake
Doomheim
#124 - 2012-05-14 15:51:43 UTC
After answering my questions i can see that you did study psychology and not pop psychology (which every real psychologist hates with a passion)


Quote:
It's entirely possible I'm wrong. I don't do correlations much - our lab does more on the experimental manipulation side, so our tool of choice is usually the linear regression model.


This was a trick question as Pearsons and Spearmans are used for either parametric or non parametric datat and even though you did pick the wrong one you do have an understanding of exactly what they are used for.

One more thing linear regression models are just correlations inversed. unless you are using multivariate regression. But you can still use non parametric data in a parametric model such as likert scales. If you get significant results it shows the power of the data you are analysing.


Quote:
Caliph Muhammed


This guy. Half the people on the internet claim to be either a Sociopath or an Aspie. Its almost always self diagnosed.. And thats without the help of the ICD-3 or the DCM-IV. This always make me laugh whenever people claim to be this. Extra note they always claim to have a superior IQ.


Quote:
This must be an example of trying to make that expert guy look stupid?


I was just trying to work out if you were a psychologist or a pop psychologist.



Lastly.

The Phd you propose is interesting but it would be hard to gather data and it does not sound like there is enough meat there to sustain a Phd. If you really want something better with more meat you could always try addiction and computer games and include data in from this game.

The hypothesis would run along the lines of "all MMOs are gambling" look at Skinners operant conditioning and randomised reward over effort. its exactly the same rewards as gambling and makes up the general gameplay of games like Diable and WOW. If you look at this game the hypothesis would suggest that the most addictive pve activity is Plexing and i know several players who do nothing else. If you want to discuss it then let me know if you are interested as it would probably be a defining PHd and the first of its kind for MMOs.

I would do it myself but ive decided to throw my life away on waste it on nothing and i have so much potential... well let me know anyway.
I dont normally troll, but when i do i do it on General Discussion.
Bucky O'Hair
Brutor Tribe
Minmatar Republic
#125 - 2012-05-14 15:55:58 UTC
Gahagan wrote:
MeestaPenni wrote:
Gahagan wrote:
If anyone has any questions on why people behave the way they do, feel free to ask.


Why can't my wife get it through her thick skull that the jelly goes on the peanut butter; not the other piece of bread?


Because it's been demonstrated scientifically that the female gender has large deficiencies in kinesthetic sense perceptions.

tl;dr - because bitches be trippin'



ROFLMAO

You sir, just won!

[b]We Are Ushra'Khan!

We are coming for our people.[/b]

Vaju Enki
Secular Wisdom
#126 - 2012-05-14 15:59:31 UTC
EvE Fanfest 2011: Nice People, Nasty Players


Some people don't get that EvE is just a video game. Chill out and have fun. If you can't stand the fact that someone has a power to interfere with "our" game, you shouldn't play sandbox MMO's.

The Tears Must Flow

Caliph Muhammed
Perkone
Caldari State
#127 - 2012-05-14 16:01:53 UTC  |  Edited by: Caliph Muhammed
Zyress wrote:
Why do some people feel bad about ruining another human being's day and others relish it. Does this say something about their inate character? When someone can be anything they want and they choose to be a villian without regard to the effects of their choice on other human beings, or in some cases because of the effect on other human beings, is this role-playing or is this saying something about who they are in reality?


In EVE, asking that question is similiar to asking why do the best poker players feel unashamed in bluffing and essentially stealing someone elses money when playing the game.

What your real question, or maybe should be, is "why did the devs not create a game that forces societal moral structure on the playerbase so I can feel sheltered and comfortable?" And the answer is because they didn't want to. They wanted to be unlike almost every mmo currently on the market.

And at its core that principle, the willingness to leave societal constructs as they are in real life outside of their world and to allow the universe to be as unhindered as possible, creates a visceral and very alluring atmosphere.
Karn Dulake
Doomheim
#128 - 2012-05-14 16:09:21 UTC  |  Edited by: Karn Dulake
Quote:
Being one, i'll give this one a go.

The mechanics of EVE are appealing to sociopaths in the sense that they're challenging. This particular sociopath (me) doesn't find scamming appealing, because ive been very attuned to other people's emotions, and mine as well, all my life. To a degree that most can't understand. Almost empathic. The process of manipulating someone is essentially too easy for someone like me and it's an activity avoided. On the reverse, gaining real trust is the challenge and it's an activity I enjoy in EVE. It doesn't imply I seek to get along with everyone, merely gain trust. Even if the trust is gained by living up precisely to my word in a negative way. If I tell you i'm going to wardec you and hunt you exclusively i'm very likely to do so, and probably on a level of tenacity that the average gamer wouldn't expect. And for a even longer duration than most would find sane.

One of the stronger draws to the mechanics of EVE is also the nature of the Dev Team. They don't change the rules on a month to month basis and that plays a huge part of it too.

Sociopaths tend to be intelligent and as such the act of complaining about a rule is somewhat beneath them. They'd assume keep the rule and find a way to overcome and achieve in spite of it, assuming its one they disagree with. A sociopathic miner is likely to become angry with a miner complaining about suicide ganks, as an example. There are nuances to that but if it has been proven doable then any rule to make what has been done already easier is likely to strike a nerve with them.

Ways to identify a sociopath? That's a tough one because the core nature of a sociopath is manipulation of emotion. Both others and their own. Some to a severe degree. From a feigned facial expression, a tone of voice, a posture or even the words chosen in a statement. A carefully structured question. All thoughts the sociopath ponders under certain circumstances.

If upon talking to someone you are struck with a notion that the person knows you on a more intimate level than the typical person/stranger would, you are very likely dealing with a sociopath. That effect you feel is very careful manipulation of the conversation by the sociopath by things they have read from you. Your posture, your mood, your cultural background, your appearance, your activity (profession related or other), etcetera.

Keep in mind that there isn't always a negative or harmful intent. The sociopath may very well want you to like them because they like you. And as the achievers they strive to be they find manipulating the situation for a desirable outcome to be honorable where parts of society may not.

There is a distinct possibility that somewhere in our universe an "animal" has developed something similiar to a wheel, as a bird developed a wing, as a means for survival and travel. Perhaps closer to a snail or snakes form of movement around a gelatinous membrane of some type. Like a mousewheel.


This is just precious. a few things

1. the wheel question was a trick question as its impossible. You need seperate moving parts you overly intelligent Psychopath.

2. Ive done a lot of human brain mapping using Multiphasic resonance imaging and diagnosed sociopaths have damage to their developentally damaged amygdala. Not the cool answers to an online test.

3. A sociopath would not play Eve as one of their biggest problems is that they look for instant gratification as certain sections of their brain never matured .

4. one of the reasons that Sociopaths never look at the consequences of their actions is due to them not worrying about consequences to their actions or only worrying very close to the punishment time. Just like a child would with there underdeveloped brain.

Conclusion. why dont you tell everyone you are an Aspie as well. You are not a sociopath and it does not make you more interesting. just another person who has to work hard to be noticed
I dont normally troll, but when i do i do it on General Discussion.
Ginseng Jita
PAN-EVE TRADING COMPANY
#129 - 2012-05-14 16:12:23 UTC
88% of the people on Earth believe in "God" - of course you'll find people in EVE that are, if anything, delusional and short a few cards for a full deck.
Caliph Muhammed
Perkone
Caldari State
#130 - 2012-05-14 16:35:45 UTC  |  Edited by: Caliph Muhammed
Yawn.
Karn Dulake
Doomheim
#131 - 2012-05-14 16:39:28 UTC
Caliph Muhammed wrote:
Yawn.



Thought about an answer, had nothing and edited it to nothing
I dont normally troll, but when i do i do it on General Discussion.
Caliph Muhammed
Perkone
Caldari State
#132 - 2012-05-14 16:41:41 UTC  |  Edited by: Caliph Muhammed
Karn Dulake wrote:
[quote]
This is just precious. a few things

1. the wheel question was a trick question as its impossible. You need seperate moving parts you overly intelligent Psychopath.

2. Ive done a lot of human brain mapping using Multiphasic resonance imaging and diagnosed sociopaths have damage to their developentally damaged amygdala. Not the cool answers to an online test.

3. A sociopath would not play Eve as one of their biggest problems is that they look for instant gratification as certain sections of their brain never matured .

4. one of the reasons that Sociopaths never look at the consequences of their actions is due to them not worrying about consequences to their actions or only worrying very close to the punishment time. Just like a child would with there underdeveloped brain.

Conclusion. why dont you tell everyone you are an Aspie as well. You are not a sociopath and it does not make you more interesting. just another person who has to work hard to be noticed



snicker

Aside from your woefully juvenile 4 point thesis on the human psyche your killboard shows mediocrity and subpar intellect as well.
Karn Dulake
Doomheim
#133 - 2012-05-14 16:44:21 UTC
lols you tard ive posted that several times on the forum myself.

No Sociopath here. instead why dont you give me a better reason why you are a Sociopath and how you were diagnosed
I dont normally troll, but when i do i do it on General Discussion.
Caliph Muhammed
Perkone
Caldari State
#134 - 2012-05-14 16:46:29 UTC  |  Edited by: Caliph Muhammed
Karn Dulake wrote:
lols you tard ive posted that several times on the forum myself.

No Sociopath here. instead why dont you give me a better reason why you are a Sociopath and how you were diagnosed



Oh im sorry Mr Cocky did the posting of your joke of a killboard from supposedly such an intelligent and well schooled individual blindside you?


Im not going to give you anything, who the hell are you? You certainly aren't a threat in game as the evidence shows you a braindead dullard. And from that I know you aren't a board certified psychologist either. Basically what you projected on me, the seeking of attention, are the qualities you demonstrate.
Ituhata Saken
Killboard Padding Services
#135 - 2012-05-14 16:49:01 UTC
If one is sexually excited by the thought of **** and murder, but is overly empathic when such actions occur in the real world, what are their chances of becoming a serial killer, and what are their odds of becoming a miner versus a pirate?

So close...

Malcanis
Vanishing Point.
The Initiative.
#136 - 2012-05-14 17:13:41 UTC
Iamien wrote:
Why does this game attract so few female players in comparison to other mmos?


Women get to do to each other in real life what we are only allowed to do via a game. Why bother with EVE?

"Just remember later that I warned against any change to jump ranges or fatigue. You earned whats coming."

Grath Telkin, 11.10.2016

Pinstar Colton
Sweet Asteroid Acres
#137 - 2012-05-14 17:25:14 UTC
Do you think the appearance of a player's portrait...be it fearsome...sexy...creepy...noble...bizarre or plain... have any impact on how other players subconsciously perceive that player? On that vein, do you think the gender of the character has any impact, even though it is widely known that it is not tied to the player's real gender.

In the cat-and-mouse game that is low sec, there is no shame in learning to be a better mouse.

Zyress
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#138 - 2012-05-14 17:28:26 UTC
Caliph Muhammed wrote:
Karn Dulake wrote:
lols you tard ive posted that several times on the forum myself.

No Sociopath here. instead why dont you give me a better reason why you are a Sociopath and how you were diagnosed



Oh im sorry Mr Cocky did the posting of your joke of a killboard from supposedly such an intelligent and well schooled individual blindside you?


What could a killboard possibly say about relative intelligence and schooling?
Malcanis
Vanishing Point.
The Initiative.
#139 - 2012-05-14 17:32:36 UTC  |  Edited by: Malcanis
Pinstar Colton wrote:
Do you think the appearance of a player's portrait...be it fearsome...sexy...creepy...noble...bizarre or plain... have any impact on how other players subconsciously perceive that player? On that vein, do you think the gender of the character has any impact, even though it is widely known that it is not tied to the player's real gender.


I'm going to go right ahead and say that your eve portrait inclines me to think that the bones of at least 3 children are buried in your back yard.


EDIT: Yeah and some dogs and stuff too.

"Just remember later that I warned against any change to jump ranges or fatigue. You earned whats coming."

Grath Telkin, 11.10.2016

Aruken Marr
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#140 - 2012-05-14 17:35:12 UTC
Caliph Muhammed wrote:
You certainly aren't a threat in game as the evidence shows you a braindead dullard. .



Yes, because we all know that being terrible at one thing makes you terrible at everything and comparative to that of a vegetable.

I'm no psych, but it looks like you just got called out on chattin ****. Now you're clutching at straws to discredit him which only serves to point out just how wrong you are. The statement "I'm a sociopath" just reeks of "LOOK AT ME!"