Christopher Mach

Exploring the correlation between the self-serving bias and online toxicity

Started Apr. 27, 2022

Abstract or project description

In this study, we will analyze the tendency for community members of online game communities to display the self-serving bias and behaviors of online toxicity. A common complaint and barrier of entry to many online game communities is a problem with a perceived "toxic" community which new players may be adverse to involving themselves in. A possible explanatory variable for such toxicity could be the human phenomenon of the self-serving bias. To analyze these two variables, a likert scale survey will be performed on members of the online game communities League of Legends, Valorant, Overwatch, DOTA 2, and Counter Strike Global Offensive to gauge each communities degree of self-serving bias and online toxicity. The findings of this study could help game developers achieve a stronger understanding of the behavior of their game communities and could lead to improved methods in reducing toxicity in their communities.