Body image development and online videogames
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v56.98014Keywords:
Corporal image, adolescence, internet games, physical development, behaviorsAbstract
The aim of the of this study was to know the influence of online videogames in the construction of the body image among adolescents. For this study, multiple case study methodology has been used, analyzing the meanings that three young people assigned to their collective experiences in the use of online videogames with high physical component. Results from the interviews showed clear differences among participants in term of access and game time of (sport) videogames, sport activities and the influence of the videogames in the embodiment. Whilst the boys (participants 1 and 3) employed a considerable amount of time to online videogames, they choose athletic avatars and practices sports in order to achieve an ideal body shape, participant 2 (girl) showed a restricted use of videogames, she do not practice any sport and focus her embodiment in a more emotive aspect. Connection between the experiences lived on-line and the decision making in the game is discussed. This duality makes conditional in such experiences, which lead to behaviors in relation to their perception of the corporal image.
Keywords: Corporal image; adolescence; internet games; physical development; behaviors.
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