Girls Playing Games: The Effect of Gender Stereotypes on Video Game Playing Motivation and Performance

Elaine Chan

Abstract

Research on gender and video game playing has long been interested in the question of why females play fewer video games and play video games less frequently than males do. The present dissertation examines the immediate impacts of a negative gender stereotype on females' motivation for and performance in playing a racing video game. Exposure to a negative gender stereotype about video game playing was expected to decrease competence beliefs and motivation to play the game, as well as worsened performance. Results were in the hypothesized directions, although no statistically significant differences were found. Implications for theories of video game playing and achievement motivation are discussed.