Features of identification of the personality with online gaming characters
The article explores the problem of the impact of the virtual space of online games on the formation of personality identity in modern society. Identification is presented as a complex process for an individual to find himself in a new sociocultural environment, of which virtual reality is a part. The study analyzes different views and positions regarding the essence of online gaming as a universal tool for designing and re-establishing one’s personality, and formation a new virtual identity in the internet environment. The authors explore the assumption that when included in an online game, the player identifies himself with a virtual hero, with the choice of virtual hero role due to either a high degree of intimacy (identity) of the characterʼs personal qualities with the player’s personal characteristics, or the playerʼs desire to identify with the hero endowed with the desired personal characteristics. The aim of the study is to study the relationship of individual-personal features of young people with their perceptions of identification objects in online games. Research methods include theoretical analysis, synthesis and generalization; questioning; testing: T. Leary «Diagnostics of Interpersonal Relations» questionnaire (so called DIR of L. N. Sobchik), individual-typological questionnaire (ITQ of L. N. Sobchik), self-release test questionnaire (STQ of V. V. Stolin, S. R. Pantileev). The results of the empirical study revealed that online games perform essential communication and self-presentation functions for players. During the game, self-identification with an online hero occurs, resulting in players, choosing a character, either with self-identical personality characteristics, or as part of an online game giving the character deficient or desired personality characteristics. During the online game, participants experience various feelings and emotions towards the character and towards the game as a whole.