“After All They Don’t Know Me” - Examining the Psychological Mechanisms of Toxic Behavior in Honor of Kings

Abstract

Toxic behavior is commonplace in online games and has a series of negative consequences for players. Although previous studies have illustrated common types and themes of in-game toxic behavior, it remains unclear what psychological mechanism can explain why toxic behavior emerges and evolves in gaming environments. To fill in this research gap, guided by Online Disinhibition Effect theory, this current study applies a mixed-method approach to understand how and why people engage in toxic behavior in the game Honor of Kings, a popular Chinese mobile multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game, and it also examines potential predictors of frequency of in-game toxic behavior. Specifically, using a qualitative interview approach, Study 1 illustrates the evolving process of both verbal and behavioral in-game toxic behavior, and identifies five major types of toxic players by motivations and three theoretical explanations for how the online gaming environment facilitates players’ toxic behavior. Using a quantitative survey approach, Study 2 examines how frequency of in-game toxic behavior is associated with age, gender, time spent playing, big-five personality traits and dark tetrad personality traits, as well as gaming motivation. Anonymity also plays a key role in facilitating in-game toxic behavior, and it is associated with more favorable attitudes and perceived norms towards in-game toxicity, less perceived consequences of toxicity and less impression management intention. Implications of this study on future research are also discussed.