Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Friends, fun, frustration and fantasy: Child motivations for video game play

Motivation and Emotion volume 37, pages 154–164 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Although a considerable amount of attention has examined potential positive and negative consequences of video game play in children, relatively little research has examined children’s motivations for using games. The current study hopes to address this gap in the literature by examining children’s motivations for video game play in a large sample of youth (n = 1254). Results indicated that video game use was common, and often a social activity. Social play was mainly predicted by motivations related to socialization, fun/challenge and current stress level. Preference for violent games was more common in males and predicted by fun/challenge motivations and beliefs such games could be cathartic for stress. Children with clinically elevated levels of depressive and ADHD symptoms did not play more games, or more violent games, but were more inclined to endorse catharsis motivations for video game use. Results from this study provide understanding of what motivates children to use games, and how the motivations of children with symptoms of psychosocial problems (as identified via subscales of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist) may differ from others.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Notes

  1. Despite that most concerns regarding video games focus on children, most of the research done has actually been on college students particularly in the realm of aggression. This is of particular importance as meta-analytic reviews suggest that studies of college students display greater effect sizes than do those of children (e.g., Sherry 2007) the inverse of what would be expected under developmental theories that posit children are more easily influenced than adults. The effects for college students may be explained by the high potential for demand characteristics, particularly in experimental studies, and the degree to which many college students may already have been taught the hypotheses of the studies in classes they have attended. These issues point out the importance of distinguishing studies with college students from those with children and not generalizing one to the other. We find that, historically, an academic field highly dependent on college student research using controversial “aggression” measures has been readily generalized to youth violence despite the inability of most of the research to be so generalized.

References

  • Allahverdipour, H., Bazargan, M., Farhadinasab, A., & Moeini, B. (2010). Correlates of video games playing among adolescents in an Islamic country. BMC Public Health, 10(286), 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychological Association (2005). Resolution on violence in video games and interactive media. Retrieved 7/3/11 from: http://www.apa.org/about/governance/council/policy/interactive-media.pdf.

  • Attar, B., Guerra, N., & Tolan, P. (1994). Neighborhood disadvantage, stressful life events, and adjustment in urban elementary-school children. Special issue: Impact of poverty on children, youth, and families. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 23(4), 391–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Australian Government, Attorney General’s Department (2010). Literature review on the impact of playing violent video games on aggression. Commonwealth of Australia.

  • Barnett, J., & Coulson, M. (2010). Virtually real: A psychological perspective on massively multiplayer online games. Review of General Psychology, 14(2), 167–179. doi:10.1037/a0019442.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bilton, N. (2010, 18 November). Call of duty smashes five-day sales records. New York Times, retrieved 2/25/2011. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/18/call-of-duty-smashes-five-day-sales-records/.

  • Brown v EMA (2011). Retrieved 7/1/11 from: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/10pdf/08-1448.pdf.

  • Chory, R. M., & Goodboy, A. K. (2011). Is basic personality related to violent and non-violent video game play and preferences? Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 14(4), 191–198. doi:10.1089/cyber.2010.0076.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J. (1992). A power primer. Psychological Bulletin, 112, 155–159. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.112.1.155.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Colwell, J. (2007). Needs met through computer game play among adolescents. Personality and Individual Differences, 43(8), 2072–2082. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2007.06.021.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colwell, J., Grady, C., & Rhaiti, S. (1995). Computer games, self-esteem and gratification of needs in adolescents. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 5(3), 195–206. doi:10.1002/casp.2450050308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Desai, R., Krishnan-Sarin, S., Cavallo, D., & Potenza, M. (2010). Video-gaming among high school students: Health correlates, gender differences, and problematic gaming. Pediatrics, 126(6), e1414–e1424. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-2706.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Desjarlais, M., & Willoughby, T. (2010). A longitudinal study of the relation between adolescent boys and girls’ computer use with friends and friendship quality: Support for the social compensation or the rich-get-richer hypothesis? Computers in Human Behavior, 26(5), 896–905. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2010.02.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, C. J. (2009). An effect size primer: A guide for clinicians and researchers. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 40(5), 532–538.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, C. J. (2010a). Blazing angels or resident evil? Can violent video games be a force for good? Review of General Psychology, 14(2), 68–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, C. J. (2010b). The modern hunter-gatherer hunts aliens and gathers power-ups: The evolutionary appeal of violent video games and how they can be beneficial. In N. Koch (Ed.), Evolutionary psychology and information systems research: A new approach to studying the effects of modern technologies on human behavior (pp. 329–342). New York: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, C. J., & Garza, A. (2011). Call of (civic) duty: Action games and civic behavior in a large sample of youth. Computers in Human Behavior, 27, 770–775.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, C. J., & Rueda, S. M. (2010). The Hitman study: Violent video game exposure effects on aggressive behavior, hostile feelings and depression. European Psychologist, 15(2), 99–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson, C. J., San Miguel, C., & Hartley, R. D. (2009). A multivariate analysis of youth violence and aggression: The influence of family, peers, depression and media violence. Journal of Pediatrics, 155(6), 904–908.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, W., Murphy, M., Childs, G., Kelleher, K., Pagano, M., Jellinek, M., et al. (1999). The PSC-17: A brief pediatric symptoms checklist with psychosocial problem subscales. A report of PROS and ASPN. Ambulatory Child Health, 5, 225–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, B. S., Sherry, J., Lachlan, K., Lucas, K., & Holmstrom, A. (2010). Orientations to video games among gender and age groups. Simulation & Gaming, 41(2), 238–259. doi:10.1177/1046878108319930.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, R., Day, T., & Hall, R. (2011). A plea for caution: Violent video games, the supreme court, and the role of science. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 86(4), 315–321.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hamlen, K. R. (2011). Children’s choices and strategies in video games. Computers in Human Behavior, 27(1), 532–539. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2010.10.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kutner, L. A., & Olson, C. K. (2008). Grand theft childhood: The surprising truth about violent video games and what parents can do. New York: Simon & Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lenhart, A., Kahne, J., Middaugh, E., MacGill, A., Evans, C., & Mitak, J. (2008). Teens, video games and civics: Teens gaming experiences are diverse and include significant social interaction and civic engagement. Retrieved 12/29/10 from: http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/263/report_display.asp.

  • Lerner, R., Lerner, J., Almerigi, J., Theokas, C., Phelps, E., Gestsdottir, S., et al. (2005). Positive youth development, participation in community youth development programs, and community contributions of fifth-grade adolescents: Findings from the first wave of the 4-H study of positive youth development. Journal of Early Adolescence, 25, 17–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, C. K. (2010). Children’s motivations for video game play in the context of normal development. Review of General Psychology, 14(2), 180–187. doi:10.1037/a0018984.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, C., Kutner, L., Warner, D., Almerigi, J., Baer, L., Nicholi, A., et al. (2007). Factors correlated with violent video game use by adolescent boys and girls. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41, 77–83.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, J., & Springer, F. (1992). Extended National Youth Sports Program 1991–1992 evaluation highlights, part two: Individual Protective Factors Index (IPFI) and risk assessment study. Report prepared for the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Sacramento, CA: EMT Associates.

  • Przybylski, A. K., Rigby, C., & Ryan, R. M. (2010). A motivational model of video game engagement. Review of General Psychology, 14(2), 154–166. doi:10.1037/a0019440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Przybylski, A. K., Weinstein, N., Ryan, R. M., & Rigby, C. (2009). Having to versus wanting to play: Background and consequences of harmonious versus obsessive engagement in video games. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 12(5), 485–492. doi:10.1089/cpb.2009.0083.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reinecke, L. (2009). Games and recovery: The use of video and computer games to recuperate from stress and strain. Journal of Media Psychology: Theories, Methods, and Applications, 21(3), 126–142. doi:10.1027/1864-1105.21.3.126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruggiero, T. E. (2000). Uses and gratifications theory in the 21st century. Mass Communication & Society, 3(1), 3–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Russoniello, C. V., O’Brien, K., & Parks, J. M. (2009). The effectiveness of casual video games in improving mood and decreasing stress. Journal of Cybertherapy and Rehabilitation, 2(1), 53–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, R. M., Rigby, C., & Przybylski, A. (2006). The motivational pull of video games: A self-determination theory approach. Motivation and Emotion, 30(4), 347–363. doi:10.1007/s11031-006-9051-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savage, J. (2008). The role of exposure to media violence in the etiology of violent behavior: A criminologist weighs in. American Behavioral Scientist, 51, 1123–1136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schramm, W., Lyle, J., & Parker, E. B. (1961). Television in the lives of our children. Stanford: Stanford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherry, J. (2007). Violent video games and aggression: Why can’t we find links? In R. Preiss, B. Gayle, N. Burrell, M. Allen, & J. Bryant (Eds.), Mass media effects research: Advances through meta-analysis (pp. 231–248). Mahwah, NJ: L. Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherry, J. L., Lucas, K., Greenberg, B. S., & Lachlan, K. (2006). Video game uses and gratifications as predicators of use and game preference. In P. Vorderer & J. Bryant (Eds.), Playing video games: Motives, responses, and consequences (pp. 213–224). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.

  • Swedish Media Council (2011). Våldsamma datorspel och aggression—en översikt av forskningen 2000–2011. Retrieved 1/14/11 from: http://www.statensmedierad.se/Publikationer/Produkter/Valdsamma-datorspel-och-aggression/.

  • von Salisch, M., Oppl, C., & Kristen, A. (2006). What attracts children? In P. Vorderer, J. Bryant, P. Vorderer, & J. Bryant (Eds.), Playing video games: Motives, responses, and consequences (pp. 147–163). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Westwood, D., & Griffiths, M. D. (2010). The role of structural characteristics in video-game play motivation: A Q-methodology study. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 13(5), 581–585. doi:10.1089/cyber.2009.0361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, D., Yee, N., & Caplan, S. E. (2008). Who plays, how much, and why? Debunking the stereotypical gamer profile. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(4), 993–1018. doi:10.1111/j.1083-6101.2008.00428.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willoughby, T. (2008). A short-term longitudinal study of Internet and computer game use by adolescent boys and girls: Prevalence, frequency of use, and psychosocial predictors. Developmental Psychology, 44(1), 195–204. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.44.1.195.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yee, N. (2006). Motivations for play in online games. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 9(6), 772–774. doi:10.1089/cpb.2006.9.772.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Behavioral Sciences, Texas A&M International University, Laredo, TX, 78045, USA

    Christopher J. Ferguson

  2. Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Cheryl K. Olson

Authors
  1. Christopher J. Ferguson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Cheryl K. Olson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christopher J. Ferguson.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ferguson, C.J., Olson, C.K. Friends, fun, frustration and fantasy: Child motivations for video game play. Motiv Emot 37, 154–164 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-012-9284-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-012-9284-7

Keywords

search

Navigation