Unveiling the essence of trash-talking: A phenomenological study of teenagers’ behavior in online games

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study focuses on teens’ trash-talking behavior while playing internet games. Phenomenology is the method used, and it seeks to reduce individual perceptions of phenomena into descriptions of universal essences or essences. This research aims to discover and examine the trash-talking behavior that has become common among teenagers while playing online games (OG). The findings of this study suggest that markers of trash-talking conduct include insults to intelligence, swearing at prohibited items, and calling animal and dirt names. The symbol of trash-talking conduct represents a release of emotions such as anger and disappointment, sarcasm or criticism, admiration for a good game, and an outpouring of joy. This study’s findings indicate a process of symbolic contact amongst the five informants while playing the Mobile Legends game. On the mental side, three categories are distinguished: being conscious of the situation and conditions in trash-talking conduct, feeling strange if you don’t have trash-talking behavior, and being accustomed to trash-talking behavior. Trash-talking conduct can be classified into two types: showing team closeness and cohesion and disrupting the opposing team’s concentration. Trash-talking conduct is classified as either helping to break down the mood in a freshly established group or producing conflict in the actual world due to feelings of offense.