Studying WoWcology, where psychology and WoW meet

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-22-2009 @ 12:49AM

theRaptor said...

Why is that weird? It is one of the most popular models of group development (probably because it isn't wrapped up in academic BS and was written very 'average joe').

I am a psychology student and I apply my knowledge to the game. It has helped me understand why so much anti-social behaviour happens in semi-anonymous contexts such as MMO's*

* It isn't because they are nasty people IRL. It is because a lot of what we call pro-social behaviour is enforced by being accountable (even to strangers). And without that enforcement a lot of 'normal' people can revert to a more selfish personality. Individually most people aren't that nice, it is society that keeps people civil.

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