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The Video Game Experience as “True” Identification: A Theory of Enjoyable Alterations of Players' Self-Perception

2009/10/09 by Klimmt Christoph, Hefner Dorothée, Vorderer Peter · 3 citations
Arts and Humanities · Social Sciences · #Digital Games and Media #Media Influence and Health #Media Studies and Communication

paper · doi:10.1111/j.1468-2885.2009.01347.x

openalex publication_date 2009/10/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/26

Abstract

This article introduces an explication of video game players' identification with a game character or role that is based on social–psychological models of self-perception. Contrasting with conventional (“dyadic”) notions of media user–character relationships (e.g., parasocial interaction or affective disposition theory), (“monadic”) video game identification is defined as a temporal shift of players' self-perception through adoption of valued properties of the game character. Implications for media enjoyment, the measurement of identification, and media effects are discussed.

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