1. The Prosocial Behavior on the Net: An Empirical Analysis in Online Game Communities.
- Author
-
Chen-jung, Chang
- Subjects
VIDEO games ,PROSOCIAL behavior ,HUMAN behavior ,SOCIAL capital ,INTERPERSONAL relations ,RISK perception - Abstract
Whether collective norms will increase trust among members thus enhance prosocial behaviors has been recently debated in the social capital research. This study tries to investigate the effects of individual's perception of risk and internet uncertainty on the helping behavior in a game-related online community. A web survey is conducted in this study, and a total of 120 valid respondents is collected from an online game website. The results present a member who has higher perception of trust in the virtual community will more likely to help other members and conduct prosocial behaviors. A member's risk perception also significantly related to the propensity of prosocial behaviors, nevertheless, the perception of risk doesn't deteriorate a person's perception of trust on the internet. This study concludes that higher trust and lower perception of internet uncertainty will enhance active effort and groups' solidarity in a virtual community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2005