Running Head: ONLINE GAMING MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS Motivational Factors of Online Gaming in Intermediate Elementary Students by Christopher D. Harper Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF EDUCATION IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY We accept the Thesis as conforming to the required standard. Dr. Rachel Moll, Faculty Supervisor Faculty of Education, Vancouver Island University Dr. David Paterson, Dean Faculty of Education, Vancouver Island University July 2020 ONLINE GAMING MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS ii Abstract Since their introduction in the 1980s, home video game consoles have held sway over the youth of modern society. For nearly two decades, popular gaming consoles were unable to connect to online networks, relying on a system of cartridges or CDs. Near the end of the millennium, online gameplay was virtually an unknown entity, relegated to a limited number of PC games. However, over the years, companies like Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft labored relentlessly to develop innovative gaming experiences, while fueling a multi-billion-dollar industry. As a result, unintended consequences of deeply integrating online gameplay into our daily lives have emerged. One such problem affecting a growing number of adolescents is the addictive nature of modern video games and the resulting negative effects on peer relationships, self-concept, and personal and social awareness. This study focused on intermediate elementary students in SD 70 Alberni. 27 students responded to questions through an online survey to provide information about their motivations for playing online and sociodemographic factors. Two open-ended questions, “What do you enjoy most about online gaming?” and “What do you enjoy least about online gaming?”, were also included. The results of the data revealed that a significant portion (37%) of intermediate elementary students in SD70 engage in risky online gaming behaviour. Keywords: online gaming, motivational factors, player type, gaming disorder, intermediate elementary students, at-risk ONLINE GAMING MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS iii Acknowledgments I would like to thank my wife, Chelsea. Without your support and patience this would not have been possible. Shout out to my boys, Donovan, Desmond, and Darius. Thank you for being on your best behaviour while daddy was away at school. Many thanks to my instructors and my supervisor, Rachel, for their guidance through each stage of the process. Cheers to my cohort, for encouraging me to persevere through the process. ONLINE GAMING MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS iv Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................... iii List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. vi List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... vii Definition of Terms...................................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 Context..................................................................................................................................... 1 Gaming Platforms .................................................................................................................... 3 Problem Statement ................................................................................................................... 4 Purpose Statement ................................................................................................................... 4 Research Questions.................................................................................................................. 5 Brief Overview of the Study .................................................................................................... 5 Chapter 2: Literature Review .......................................................................................................... 6 Internet Gaming Disorder ........................................................................................................ 6 Social Development Theory .................................................................................................... 7 Industry vs. Inferiority ............................................................................................................. 8 Impact of Gaming on Brain Development ............................................................................ 11 Motives for Gaming............................................................................................................... 12 Associated Dangers of IGD ................................................................................................... 16 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 19 Chapter 3: Procedures and Methods ............................................................................................. 20 Participants ............................................................................................................................ 21 Instrumentation ...................................................................................................................... 22 ONLINE GAMING MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS v Procedures ............................................................................................................................. 24 Validity .................................................................................................................................. 25 Data Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 28 Chapter 4: Results ......................................................................................................................... 31 Chapter Five: Summary and Conclusions..................................................................................... 44 Summary ................................................................................................................................ 44 Discussion and Implications .................................................................................................. 45 Limitations ............................................................................................................................. 53 Suggestions for Further Research .......................................................................................... 54 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 55 References ..................................................................................................................................... 56 Appendix A ................................................................................................................................... 64 Appendix B ................................................................................................................................... 67 Appendix C ................................................................................................................................... 69 Appendix D ................................................................................................................................... 70 Appendix E ................................................................................................................................... 72 Appendix F.................................................................................................................................... 74 Appendix G ................................................................................................................................... 75 Appendix H ................................................................................................................................... 77 ONLINE GAMING MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS vi List of Tables Table 1: Stages in Psychosocial Development adapted from Notes on the life cycle. Ekistics, 32(191), 260-265............................................................................................................................. 8 Table 2: Overall Mean, Mode, Standard deviation Scores for Motivating Factors / Player Type .............................................................................................................................................. 34 Table 3: Factors: Mean Scores According to Grade ............................................................... 35 Table 4: Factors: Mean Scores According to Gender ............................................................. 36 Table 5: Factors / Player Type: Mean Scores According to Gaming Time ............................ 37 Table 6: Individual Social Player Types ................................................................................. 39 Table 7: Individual Escape Player Types...............................................................................