Research On Gender Identity Construction Behavior In Online Games

With the rapid development of Internet technology,online games,as a flourishing online culture,have shaped a virtual environment that is different from the real society.The principle of anonymity in virtual space allows players to build a brand new identity that is different from real life without being restricted by external conditions such as real gender,education,and identity.This is a challenge to the singleness and certainty of the traditional gender identity in social life,and it is also a reflection on the actual environment and its own status quo.This study selects online game players as the research object,and studies the player's identity display in online games from the perspective of "gender identity construction".First of all,during the period from September 2020 to January 2021,through the creation of new game accounts to conduct participatory observations to investigate the process of players' construction of new gender identities in the virtual environment of online games;secondly,through in-depth interviews,online games In this paper,players conduct an analysis of the motivation of gender identity construction,and from this,explore the actual impact of gender identity on players in online games.Through participatory observations and in-depth interviews,it is found that for online game players,the normative requirements of gender identity in real life suppress the true selfexpression of players' hearts,while the virtual space created by online games breaks the gender norms of the real society and makes Players can shape the idealized self that is expected in their hearts.Freely carry out emotional experience and self-expression in the game,fully demonstrate self-style through interaction with other players in the game,extend self-demand,and create a new gender identity in the virtual environment of online games.The gender identity created by the player in online games is based on the player's gender identity in real life,and is generated by combining with the player's inner "ideal self".The construction of a new gender identity breaks the certainty of the player's real-life gender identity concept.On the one hand,players can increase self-confidence,improve themselves,and develop new interpersonal relationships in the real world;on the other hand,the contradiction between gender identities in reality and virtual environments will also make players over-indulge in virtual gender identities in online games.Cause the player to have the emotion of avoidance and disgust towards the real self.Faced with the harm of virtual gender identity to players,society should play a guiding role,actively guide players to correctly view the differences between gender identities,and shape a healthy self.