Interaction Tension:A Sociological Model of Attention and Emotion Demands in Video Gaming

Abstract

Video gaming actively demands players’ attention, affording positive experiences like flow. Recent research has suggested to extend analysis from cognitive and physical to the social and emotional demands of gameplay. This paper argues that Erving Goffman’s concept of interaction tension offers a promising theoretical model for social demands. We report a re-analysis of qualitative interview data on the social norms of video gaming corroborating the model. As suggested by Goffman, video gaming features rich social norms regarding involvement. When spontaneously experienced and normatively demanded involvement misalign, players experience self-conscious disinvolvement and engage in unenjoyable, effortful self-control of their experienced and displayed involvement.

Metadata

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Deterding, Christoph Sebastian https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0033-2104
Dates:	Accepted: 29 November 2019 Published: 20 December 2019
Institution:	The University of York
Academic Units:	The University of York > Faculty of Arts and Humanities (York) > Theatre, Film, TV and Interactive Media (York)
Funding Information:	Funder Grant number EPSRC EP/M023265/1
Depositing User:	Pure (York)
Date Deposited:	05 Dec 2019 12:50
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 23:15
Published Version:	https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v7i4.2366
Status:	Published
Refereed:	Yes
Identification Number:	10.17645/mac.v7i4.2366
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID):	oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:154202