Scientific approach

From Mmswiki

Jeanette Schmid used the Neo-five-factores-model (also called the „Big Five“) to disprove common prejudices against RPG-players. To do this, she attached several prejudiced to certain character traits that can be examined by this model. The character traits examinable by this model are neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion and openness (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Five_personality_traits 2.7.2009). The author wants to use the factor neuroticism to rebut the statement that RPG-players are not able to separate reality from fiction and therefore will be influenced by their game-masters even in the real word which shows an emotional instability. Emotional instability can be measured by the factor neuroticism. Of course, these assumptions are - to some point - worth of discussing. Beyond that, the author wants to find out if the prejudice claiming that RPG-players are attached to violence is true. She checks this out by measuring a person’s agreeableness. Another prejudice states that RPG-players are less efficiency-orientated than other persons. To check a person’s commitment to performance, Schmidt measures his or her conscientiousness. Furthermore, Schmidt measures a person’s openness by checking on his or her creativity and openness for new experiences. Concerning all these facts, the study comes to the following results:

• First, experienced players show less extraversion than non-players.

• Second, there is a connection between a person’s openness for new experiences and the time he has played RPGs. In contrast to the study of Simón, this connection is well-founded because Schmid checked on the influence of age on this topic and found none. Therefore a person that plays RPgs is more likely to be open for new experiences.

• Third, RPG-players seem to be more agreeable, less conscientious and less neat.

by Anjuli