Factors Affecting Imitation Behavior of Online Games
Keywords:
Imitation of behavior, Online games, Hardcore gamersAbstract
This research aims to study the behavior of imitating from online games and to study the external factors that promote the behavior of imitating from online games. The research method is qualitative research by in-depth interviewing 10 online gamers at the Heavy Gamer level. The method is selected from the history of playing games that are violent and intense based on the criteria of playing 1 of the top 20 games with violent content from the CBR website (James Lynch & Antonio Samson). The research results found that many online gamers have behaviors that imitate from online games in various forms, including imitation behavior and behaviors that are learned from the game but have not been imitated. It was found that it depends on the factors that affect the behavior. The factors that cause imitation behavior are mostly due to familiarity, such as consistency in playing games or game content that is similar to real-life behavior. The factors that prevent most online gamers from imitating behavior are considered to be contemplation, as well as other internal factors, such as having an identity (self) and playing online games only for social needs (social). This research also found that the environment and other motivations affect the behavior of imitating from online games as well. Most of them are external factors. By studying the behavior of imitation from online games, we can learn about the characteristics of imitation behavior and gain in-depth knowledge about the causes, reasons, and perspectives of Heavy Gamers. The results of this study are useful for preventing and supervising youth in playing online games, including controlling the content of online games. Behavioral data from online games can be used to develop other aspects in the future.
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