Photo AI
Computer video games study Playing computer video games is a popular leisure activity, and has been claimed to be the fastest growing form of recreation in humans, with annual revenues from video games having surpassed those of Hollywood (Yi, 2004) - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 3 - 2020 - Paper 3
Question 3
Computer video games study Playing computer video games is a popular leisure activity, and has been claimed to be the fastest growing form of recreation in humans, ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Computer video games study Playing computer video games is a popular leisure activity, and has been claimed to be the fastest growing form of recreation in humans, with annual revenues from video games having surpassed those of Hollywood (Yi, 2004) - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 3 - 2020 - Paper 3
Step 1
Explain what this shows in terms of in-game purchases for the participants who played computer video games.
Answer
The calculated value of 0.411 exceeds the critical value of 0.362 at the 5% level of significance. This indicates a statistically significant positive correlation between the time spent playing the video game and the number of in-game rewards purchased. Therefore, it suggests that as participants spent more time playing the game, they were also likely to purchase more in-game rewards.
Step 2
Using research evidence, explain how far biological psychology could account for the findings regarding the purchase of in-game rewards in the computer video games study.
Answer
Biological psychology provides insights into the motivations behind purchasing in-game rewards. For instance, engaging with video games can stimulate the dopamine reward pathway, which encourages players to purchase rewards as they complete objectives. Furthermore, testosterone levels in males have been linked to competitive behavior; hence, males might be driven to make more purchases in pursuit of success in the game. This notion is rooted in evolutionary psychology where success enhances social standing, which may incentivize further purchases. Furthermore, historical studies, such as those by Olds and Milner (1954), have shown that stimulation of reward pathways enhances goal-directed behavior, supporting the link between game engagement and in-game purchases.