Performing Hegemonic Masculine Behaviours in Video Games By - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Performing Hegemonic Masculine Behaviours in Video Games

By Jonathan Lee and Wang Ruofan

Hegemonic Masculinity

A practice that legitimizes powerful men's dominant position in society and justifies the subordination of the common male population and women, and other marginalized ways of being a man

Gender performance theory by Judith Butler

• Gender behaviours do not arise from innate gender

characteristics

• Reinforced as we repeatedly behave in a particular way
• Which conforms with traditional gender roles and social

construct

Traits which define hegemonic masculinity

• Aggressiveness
• Power
• Material success
• Muscular physique

Hypothesis

Masculine behaviours are performative to a large extent

Experimental Approach

Computer games

The Sims 3

• Allow players to experiment with

gender identity.

• Experiment with different gender

behaviours

• Safe and effective, freedom of choice

Qualitative Research

Rationale of choosing qualitative research method

• study every action done by the

participant

• fully analyse counter-

performing behaviours or instead reinforce such behaviours.

Criteria to search for participants

• 1. Aged above 21
• 2. Has served National Service (NS)
• 3. Able to play computer games

Day 1: Testing Days 2&3: Actual recording of gameplay Followed up with an interview session Rationale: to compare behaviours observed during gameplay with his beliefs on each individual trait of hegemonic masculinity

Experimental process

Coding matrix

Results analysis

Conclusion

Hegemonic masculine behaviours were performative to a large extent in the game Sims 3.

Future work

• 1. Increase sample size of participants to obtain a mean value of all data sets

and apply statistical analysis to see if there is a significant difference in results and to increase reliability of results.

• 2. Collect data from males pre-NS and the same males post-NS to verify

whether NS reinforces such hegemonic masculine traits.

• 3. Collect data from both males and females of the same age group to verify

whether gender affects the extent of hegemonic masculine traits.

• 4. Collect data for the same set of males throughout their entire lives to

determine if hegemonic masculine behaviours changes with age.

Thank You :)