Problematic Internet Use, or PIU, refers to spending so much time online it affects other aspects of your life such as academics and personal relationships. Usually one becomes addicted to some sort of aspect of online capability, such as porn or online gambling, but another area of the internet that I think contributes to PIU is actual video games, such as World of Warcraft or Ultima Online. Though it may be a copout to do this assignment on online videogames, I also have a project in Comm 282 about online videogames, so why not talk about something I've already researched.
The first point, according to Caplan, says that PIU is caused by individuals always have negative thoughts in terms of social competence. For example, the confidence to walk up to random people in a social setting and start a conversation. With online videogames, one is almost forced to start conversation whether it be vocally or text-based, in order to succeed in the game. There is no need to worry about what you're wearing, how you look, and what you say. Especially if you are communicating through text-based conversation. There is time to think about what you are going to say.
The second reason that leads to PIU, according to Caplan is individuals feel less threatened in an online space than in reality. There is a sort of comfort with online gaming that individuals have. Whether it be the anonymity or the physical distance, people feel less threatened than in reality where there can be stares or rules, what have you.
The third reason that leads to PIU, according to Caplan, is individual's preference for online interaction. For example, an individual would rather spend time with friends they have made online rather than their friends, or lack their of, in reality. Virtual reality can be a release to indiviuals. No pressure from bosses, parents, etc. No worry of what project is due or what assignment needs to be turned in.
To conclude, I believe all of Caplan's reasons apply except for the first one. I'm not neccessarily sure one could flat out say, people enjoy online gaming because they only have negative thoughts about their social competence. I would imagine someone could be socially competent and still lead to PIU. Is it not possible for a person to be confident, yet still have a cumpulsive need to play online games? As for the unique properties to my space (online gaming), I don't think there is many if any. They are video games, that are being played, but gambling can also be considered games. I do believe there are many outcomes that are possible in online videogames, whereas in gambling, you either win or lose. With videogames online, there is hardly ever an end. It's more like you have successes and failures. Plus, I think the outcomes with videogames have less of an effect on the person. For example, if one loses a huge pot in gambling, I think they would become more infuriated than if they would have been killed by a level 4o paladin. Come on now.......
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2015420513633824972&postID=5832116808974264597
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=2015420513633824972&postID=4225698872532868403
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Hey Eric,
This post caught my eye rather quickly since I had done my assignment on the addictive nature and problematic internet use of online gaming as well. In the segment where you described the reasons one may play internet games, “There is no need to worry about what you're wearing, how you look, and what you say”, clearly describes what Caplan states in regards to problematic internet use in general. The anonymity that those factors create seem to allow for the players to feel more relaxed and less threatened by people who they may have felt threatened had the interaction taken place off-line. The post was very informative, very interesting and well developed with the various points.
Post a Comment