Sociologists have unveiled the underlying factors behind stereotypes associated with gamers.

The image of a gamer is often linked to an unhealthy lifestyle, poor eating habits, untidiness, and even antisocial behavior. This perception didn't emerge from nowhere and does have some basis in reality. However, Danish sociologists argue that these stereotypes are only partially accurate. According to the researchers, past studies may have distorted the understanding of gaming enthusiasts, failing to reflect the current gender composition and daily habits of the gaming community.

2024-11-20 10:00:37https://naked-science.ru/article/psy/stereotipy-o-gejmerah

A new article about gamers and the distinctive traits of this subculture has been released in the journal Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies. Its authors, sociologists from the University of Aarhus and the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), examined existing research on the topic and compared their findings with results from their own observations. Data was collected through focus groups, interviews, and analysis of diary entries from 14 young gamers. The respondents' ages ranged from 20 to 30 years, with eight being male and four female.

After reviewing previous scientific publications, the specialists discovered that many of them placed excessive emphasis on so-called LAN parties—gatherings for network gaming. The number of players can fluctuate from a few individuals to tens of thousands. For instance, a record-setting event in Sweden in 2013 attracted nearly 23,000 gamers.

Such gatherings are often filled with unhealthy food—pizza, chips, energy drinks, and soda. These items have become a sort of symbol of the gaming subculture. Consuming these foods at such events has turned into a tradition. Danish researchers believe this has significantly influenced the stereotype regarding gamers' love for fast food.

Meanwhile, for gamers, as with most other people, everyday meals usually differ greatly from food consumed on special occasions. By analyzing the eating habits of players, sociologists found that age, gender, and social activity have a greater impact on their choices.

For instance, among the youth, there is a general tendency to eat something quickly, spending minimal time and effort on food and cooking to return to offline or online activities. Consequently, this trend is relevant for young gamers, especially those living alone. People may choose less healthy options, like pizza, as well as healthier ones, such as a sandwich made with rye bread and a slice of chicken breast.

Living with another person can shift priorities and make shared cooking and dining more appealing than a quick snack aimed at quickly returning to the company of online players.

Researchers also noted that attitudes towards food and daily habits can vary significantly between men and women: women tend to care more about health and cleanliness. This can influence preferences among fans of computer games. Previously, the demographic was predominantly male, which partially contributed to the stereotype of "gamer nerds" with an unhealthy lifestyle. However, with the increase of female players, the situation has changed in this regard.