Radiography of myth: the social representation of gamers put to test in Chile

Autores

Resumo

Gamers have been represented in the media and in cultural products as young boys or young men with limited social life, no participation in community activities, sedentary habits and low interest in work or studies. By relying on data from the National Survey on Time Use conducted in Chile, and drawing upon the theoretical perspective of social representation, this study tests the relationship between the use of videogames and the alleged lack of interest in social, work, community and recreational activities. Findings indicate that, although young men are more likely to be gamers, there is no relationship between playing videogames and being satisfied with one’s personal life or participating in work, social, community, or political activities. Likewise, findings suggest that those who play videogames also do sports, which debunks multiple myths about videogame players.

Palavras-chave:

Representación social, estereotipos, videojugadores chilenos

Biografia do Autor

Marco Jaramillo, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Doctor (c) en Ciencias de la Comunicación de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Magíster en Comunicación Social con mención en Comunicación y Educación, y Licenciado en Historia (PUC). Es tesista en Núcleo Milenio NUDOS (CD2022_46).

Magdalena Saldaña, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Doctora en Periodismo por la Universidad de Texas en Austin. Es profesora asociada en la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, investigadora del Institutito Milenio Fundamentos de los Datos (ICN17_002) y Directora Alterna del Núcleo Milenio MEPOP (NCS2021_063).

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