investiGaming - Research Findings on Gender and Games

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investiGaming is a publication of the Serious Game Design group in the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media at Michigan State University, 2007-2009

This gateway is partially supported by grant 0631771 from the National Science Foundation.

The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not represent Michigan State University or the National Science Foundation.

Gender differences in the mesocorticolimbic system during computer game-play

Author: Hoeft, F., Watson, C. L., Kesler, S. R., Bettinger, K. E., Reiss, A. L.
Date: 2008
Source: Journal of Psychiatric Research, Mar;42(4):253-8
Full Text Link:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=MImg&_imagekey=B6T8T-4RKDPR2-1-5&_cdi=5095&_user=10&_orig=search&_coverDate=03%2F31%2F2008&_sk=999579995&view=c&wchp=dGLbVzW-zSkWb&md5=7229c403d7ae9a6838cbba278ccebd02&ie=/sdarticle.pdf

Synopsis:

A neurological study of the mesocorticolimbic system of both male and female brains compares difference in activation during game play.

Keywords:

brain research, journal, motivations

Abstract:
Little is known about the underlying neural processes of playing computer/video games, despite the high prevalence of its gaming behavior, especially in males. In a functional magnetic resonance imaging study contrasting a space-infringement game with a control task, males showed greater activation and functional connectivity compared to females in the mesocorticolimbic system. These findings may be attributable to higher motivational states in males, as well as gender differences in reward prediction, learning reward values and cognitive state during computer video games. These gender differences may help explain why males are more attracted to, and more likely to become "hooked" on video games than females.

Implications for Game Industry:
No Implications have been written for this entry.

Research Highlights:
- During game play the portion of the brain associated with reward and addiction are more active in males than females.
- During game play, both males and females were motivated to succeed. However, males were a lot more motivated to succeed than females.
- Males have neural circuitry in their brains that makes them more liable than women to feel rewarded by a computer game and thus more motivated to continue playing the game.