Negative Behaviour Research Study

KierenLove·Oct 24, 2016·3 votes·797 views

I am currently studying a masters degree in Psychology at Sheffield Hallam University, UK. My focus for my dissertation research project will be centred around the psychology of video games and the negative attitudes found online. I was wondering if there was somewhere/someone who has information regarding the causes of negative behaviour (verbal abuse, trolling, 'toxicity' etc), ways to combat it, success of combatting it, and any other general information regarding this subject matter.

Massive fan of League and online video games, so it only seems apt to focus my studies on something that I have experience of and an interest in.

9 Comments

Desolas ArteriusOct 24, 20162 votes

I would try talking to Riot Tantrum, perhaps tweeting at Riot employees, or maybe even try Reddit. Usually Reddit or Twitter sees more activity when it comes to projects involving league :D

Though they might not be able to give you everything since behavioral information might be taken negatively out of context.

I wish you luck though!

KierenLoveOct 24, 20161 votes

Thats not a bad idea, im only throwing around ideas atm so will get tweeting and scouring reddit in the next couple of months.

Yeah thats what I've been thinking too, hopefully I'll be able to get some lovely raw data from someone, thanks.

N PelosiOct 24, 20162 votes

Try looking up some scholarly articles on it. There are tons of publications regarding how anonymity and negative behavior are related. Once the social pressure on someone is relieved, people tend to revert to their natural selfish state.

You could also loop in some criminology research as well, not just psychology. Check out some basic information on deterrence/rational choice theory, social control theories, labeling theory, and maybe social learning theory.

I've got degrees in Criminology, Cognitive Neuroscience, and Computer Science. So, I've been down the path you are starting :P.

I'm not going to hand you your topic, but those are great places to start.

KierenLoveOct 24, 20161 votes

Thanks a lot, I never even considered criminological theories, which is embarrassing as I have a joint Criminiology & Psychology degree.

I'll look into those and have a search around, thanks.