The effect of type A personality on physiological arousal while playing computer games

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Game Studies

Background:

• Computer game addiction is a growing concern with limited systematic research.
• Arousal properties of games are hypothesized to contribute to addiction.
• The role of personality factors, like Type A, in game-related arousal is underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between Type A personality and physiological arousal during computer game play.
• To test if Type A and Type B individuals exhibit different arousal responses to gaming.

Main Methods:

• Recruited participants categorized as Type A or Type B personality.
• Measured heart rate during a baseline period and while playing a computer game.
• Compared heart rate increases between baseline and gaming conditions for both personality types.

Main Results:

• Both Type A and Type B subjects showed significantly increased heart rates during computer game play compared to baseline.
• Type A subjects exhibited a significantly greater increase in arousal (heart rate) than Type B subjects while gaming.

Conclusions:

• Computer game engagement elevates physiological arousal across different personality types.
• Type A personality is associated with a heightened arousal response to computer games.
• Findings suggest personality traits may play a role in the development of computer game addiction.