Big Five Personality Research Articles

The Big Five Personality Traits and Marital Satisfaction Among Couples in Kilungu Deanary in Catholic Diocese of Machakos in Makueni County, Kenya

Marital satisfaction is a key indicator of happiness and stability in marriage, yet modern family life faces significant challenges, including rising divorce rates, declining marriage prevalence, increased cohabitation, and the complexities introduced by same-sex marriage legalization. This study examines the Big Five personality traits and their relationship with marital satisfaction among couples in Kilungu Deanery, Catholic Diocese of Machakos, Makueni County, Kenya. The research objectives included assessing the prevalence of these traits, evaluating marital satisfaction levels, identifying factors affecting satisfaction, and exploring ways to enhance it. Grounded in the Five-Factor model of personality and Bowenian family systems theory, the study utilized a correlational research design with a sample of 178 married individuals (90 males and 88 females) aged 30 to 67, each married for at least five years. Data were collected using the Big Five Inventory and the ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale, and analyzed with SPSS version 25. Findings revealed that Extraversion correlated positively with the Idealistic Distortion scale but showed no significant correlation with marital satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Agreeableness and Conscientiousness were positively associated with marital satisfaction and negatively with dissatisfaction. Conversely, Neuroticism was negatively correlated with marital satisfaction and positively with dissatisfaction. Openness correlated positively with marital satisfaction but not significantly with dissatisfaction. The study recommends that government and religious organizations offer family life counseling and premarital education to improve partner compatibility and reduce failed marriages.

EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF PERSONALITY TRAITS ON STUDENTS' INFORMATION SECURITY RISK-TAKING BEHAVIORS: A BFI ASSESSMENT

The pandemic has boosted online activity and caused a rise in cyber threats and crime. In response, the study aimed to identify Big Five Inventory (BFI) characteristics that determine a student's risk status. A quantitative approach was employed, and 311 undergraduate students were randomly selected as respondents. The survey instrument assessed BFI characteristics, security knowledge, IT service usage, and security practices. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that BFI characteristics The BFI characteristics that indicate the highest relevance to being At Risk fall under Neuroticism (33.33%). Universities can develop tailored solutions and effective security measures that target specific personality traits, thereby enhancing overall information security.

The Dark Triad Personality (DTP) and the Big Five Model (BFM) in their Relationship to Counterproductive Work Behaviors (CWBs)

The Dark Triad Personality (DTP) and the Big Five Model (BFM) in their Relationship to Counterproductive Work Behaviors (CWBs)

Early Maladaptive Schemas’ Associations with Big-Five Personality Traits in Two Non-Clinical Adult Samples from Different Cultural Backgrounds

Introduction: While personality traits and early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) can affect an individual’s behavior and well-being, the links between these constructs are under-researched, especially in non-clinical samples. Aims: Two studies were conducted to address these links, intending to explore their specifics, as previous research evidenced various associations’ models. Methods: In Study 1, the sample consisted of 120 respondents (65.0% females) living in the UK and the USA. In Study 2, the sample consisted of 244 respondents (68.0% females) living in Lithuania. In both studies, most of the respondents were aged 18-25. The survey was administered online. Studies 1 and 2 applied the Big Five Inventory and Young Schema Questionnaire. Results: In Study 1, neuroticism was significantly positively associated with 17 EMSs. Extraversion stood significantly negatively related to 12 EMSs, conscientiousness was significantly negatively related to 15 EMSs, openmindedness stood significantly negatively related to 2 EMSs, but significantly positively related to admiration, and agreeableness appeared significantly negatively related to 9 EMSs. In Study 2, neuroticism was significantly positively associated with 16 EMSs. Extraversion stood significantly negatively related to 9 EMSs, conscientiousness was significantly negatively related to 12 EMSs, open-mindedness and agreeableness were significantly negatively related to 10 EMSs. Conclusions: Study 2 partly failed to replicate the results of Study 1, which implies that the model of links between EMSs and personality traits could be impacted by cultural factors, and needs further investigation.

Revisão Sistemática de Instrumentos de Personalidade usando o Big-Five em Crianças

This study had the objective of identifying and summarizing questionnaires used to assess the fi ve-factor model (FFM) in children. The main characteristics evaluated were: respondent (self or other), the target age-group, instrument format, number of items, Likert-scale type, factorial validity, reliability indices, and response bias control. We searched for articles in the following databases: Pubmed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of science, and BVS. A total of 7687 articles were found. After removing duplicate fi les, 5714 articles remained. Of these, 5536 were excluded based on title and abstract reading. Sixty-six articles were included for fi nal qualitative analysis. Twenty-one instruments for assessing FFM in the age range of 6 to 12 years were identifi ed. Some of the questionnaires were constructed for being used in adults. The majority of the questionnaires relied on fi ve-point Likert-scales (f = 13, 62%). Only two studies controlled for response bias. Psychometric and conceptual aspects of the questionnaires were evaluated, leading to the conclusion that there is a need for more studies and instruments to measure personality in childhood.Keywords: Personality assessment, child, fi ve-factor model, developmental psychology, child assessment

Beyond broad and narrow: Intermediate level traits in the personality of bridge players.

Games offer a unique context for studying human behavior within the realm of social interactions, where a crucial aspect is the role of personality. The personality of individuals is often conceptualized as divided between general traits (broad traits) that are difficult to apply to specific situations and highly specific traits (narrow traits) that only offer a partial depiction of contextual aspects. In this study, we propose an intermediary level of traits revealed through self-ratings (as broad traits), but defined with respect to a particular game context (as narrow traits). We focus on the popular game of Bridge, which is complex and similar to real-life interactions involving incomplete information, adversarial and cooperative concerns, and communication between players. Using a multidimensional analysis of a new 66-item Bridge Inventory survey completed by 1,300 players, we identified five factors (Aggressiveness, Discipline, Creativity, Emotionality, and Experience) that were meaningfully correlated with broad traits of the Five Factor Model (FFM), supporting their validity. Based on these game-related traits, we identified three types of Bridge players: Conventional, Measured, and Subversive and demonstrated the limitations of FFM traits in capturing nuances of player types. The results of our study highlight a discrepancy between broad, context-independent personality traits and narrow, game-specific traits. We propose that this gap can be bridged through self-ratings, revealing a set of intermediate-level, context-dependent traits, which are expected to better encompass interindividual variability in the context of social interactions.

Testing the validity of a Latvian multidimensional forced-choice personality inventory

The aim of this study is to evaluate the convergent and operational validity of a modified Latvian personality inventory (LPA-3, Perepjolkina, 2014) with a multidimensional forced-choice answer format (LMFI). Using three samples, a validity study of the LMFI was conducted. Convergent validity was evaluated by examining the relations between LMFI on one side and the Big Five Inventory (BFI) and the Machiavellianism scale on the other. Operational validity was evaluated by examining the relations with assessments of subjective job performance, counterproductive work performance and with a measure of scholarly significance. The results show good convergent and operational validity for five of the six LMFI factors. The Honesty-Humility measure still needs to be improved. In the future, predictive and discriminant validation studies should be conducted with more representative Latvian samples.

On person-community fit: Trait-, person-, and type-based approaches to measurement

Person-community fit is a timely and important concept in personality, social, and geographical psychology. The assessment of person-community fit poses statistical and conceptual challenges because there is inevitably greater variability among individuals than there is among communities. Leveraging data from the Synthetic Aperture Personality Assessment project involving 75,705 individuals across the US, we investigated the impact of fit on education, health, and well-being. We first assessed fit using variable-centered (response surface analysis) and person-centered (profile similarity) approaches. We then introduced a typological approach to person-community fit which is predicated on the idea that communities, like persons, are diverse, and can include multiple social and environmental niches. In this approach, persons are categorized into types, communities are described in terms of type-profiles, and fit is assessed as the proportion of people in the community sharing one's type. Using a rudimentary typology based on the five-factor model, this approach revealed striking differences between communities in their type profiles. For both the profile and type approaches, we found modest associations between person-community fit and outcomes, but these effects were due primarily to normativity (person-country fit) rather than to the distinguishing characteristics of communities. Taken together, our results highlight the benefits of using a multimethod approach for conceptualizing the personality of communities and assessing person-community fit.

An Empirical Analysis on the China’s Medical Industry under Covid-19 Based on Fama-French model

The global financial markets have been seriously affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, causing widespread and deep-reaching effects since the latter part of 2019. The medical industry, being one of the fundamental sectors, has not been spared from its effects. This empirical study focuses on Chinese A-share medical industry companies as a sample and the Fama-French three-factor and five-factor models were evaluated to determine their effectiveness pre- and post-pandemic, aiming to investigate how the epidemic has impacted the stock prices of China’s medical industry. The results indicate that the epidemic has significantly affected the Chinese A-share medical industry, and the Fama-French model’s capability of explaining market returns has diminished following the outbreak of the epidemic. These findings provide guidance for investors and policymakers to make informed decisions regarding investments and policies related to the medical industry, as well as insights into examining the effectiveness of China’s medical industry stock price. These results also provide ideas and methods for related research in other fields.

Do millennials’ personalities and smartphone use result in materialism? The mediating role of addiction

PurposeThis paper aims to use the five-factor model’s (FFM: emotional instability, introversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness) personality traits and the need for arousal to explain millennials’ habitual and addictive smartphone use and resultant materialistic inclinations. The study also test the mediating role of addictive use in the relationship between habitual use and materialism.Design/methodology/approachParticipants’ self-reported data (n = 705) from a sample of millennials were gathered using a cross-sectional survey approach conducted in Malaysia and studied using structural equation modelling with partial least squares (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results discover that emotional instability, openness to experience, agreeableness and need for arousal have a significant influence on habitual smartphone use. Conversely, introversion and conscientiousness have no significant impact on habitual use. Fascinatingly, millennials’ habitual use positively influences their materialism. Furthermore, addictive smartphone use positively affects materialism and mediates the relationship between habitual use and materialism.Originality/valueThe FFM, a prominent personality trait model, has been used in numerous studies to predict usage intention. However, the particular dimension of the FFM personality traits that drive habitual and addictive smartphone use to trigger materialistic tendencies among millennials needs to be exposed in an emerging market context. The results emphasise the need to consider this demographic’s personalities when attempting to comprehend how habitual use and materialism occur. This study also provides practitioners with helpful information in creating targeted interventions to encourage healthy smartphone use behaviours and reduce possible adverse effects related to addictive smartphone use and materialistic attitudes.

Electroencephalographic differences in patients with paranoid schizophrenia with or without a history of suicide attempts

To identify differences in electroencephalographic parameters in schizophrenia patients with and without a history of suicide attempts. Eighty-seven inpatients (50 men and 37 women) with paranoid schizophrenia were examined. Suicidal attempts in the anamnesis of patients were verified by a psychiatrist on the basis of clinical interviewing. The severity of psychopathological symptoms was assessed using The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) based on a five-factor model. Electroencephalogram (EEG) parameters were recorded and evaluated using a 16-channel encephalograph. A clinical and quantitative analysis of the recordings was carried out with the calculation of absolute spectral power indicators for theta, alpha and beta rhythms, as well as the severity of the activation reaction (Berger effect). Significantly higher rates of the PANSS depression factor were revealed in patients with a history of suicide attempts (p=0.016). Clinical analysis of EEG changes did not reveal any significant differences between the groups (p>0.05). The spectral analysis of the EEG showed significant differences only in the spectral power of the beta rhythm in the central (p=0.048) and occipital (p=0.021) leads with closed eyes, which was lower in the group with a history of suicide attempts. The degree of alpha rhythm depression in the occipital leads was also significantly lower in this group (p=0.016). The regression analysis showed that significant correlates of suicidal attempts in patients with paranoid schizophrenia are the PANSS depressive factor (t=2.784; p=0.016) and a deficiency in the activation response to EEG (t=-2.035; p=0.045). The results complement previous studies on the relationship between suicidal attempts, clinical symptoms and neurophysiological features of the functioning of the brain of patients with paranoid schizophrenia.

Moderators of the relationship between callous-unemotional traits and externalizing problems in youth.

[Correction Notice: An Erratum for this article was reported online in Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment on Oct 26 2023 (see record 2024-19662-001). In the original article, the authors changed the order of authorship from "Blair D. Batky, Allison N. Shields, Jennifer L. Tackett, and Randall T. Salekin" to "Blair D. Batky, Allison N. Shields, Randall T. Salekin, and Jennifer L. Tackett." All versions of this article have been corrected. The names appear correctly in this record.] Callous-unemotional (CU) traits (i.e., tendencies to experience low levels of guilt and empathy) are associated with severe and persistent conduct problems in youth. However, some youth with elevated CU traits do not exhibit severe externalizing problems, and further research is needed to identify conditions under which CU traits are more versus less strongly associated with higher levels of externalizing behavior. To this end, the current preregistered study examined whether internalizing problems, five-factor model personality traits, and parenting practices moderated associations between CU traits and externalizing problems. Caregivers of 1,232 youth ages 6-18 (Mage = 11.46) reported on youths' CU traits, externalizing, internalizing, and five-factor model traits as well as on their own parenting practices. We found that the relationship between CU traits and externalizing was robust to the moderating effects of internalizing problems and parenting practices, but CU traits were more strongly related to externalizing problems at higher levels of neuroticism and at lower levels of agreeableness and conscientiousness. Results contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of externalizing problems among youth high in CU traits and may inform future longitudinal and intervention research seeking to identify factors that reduce externalizing behavior among high-CU youth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Nurses' continuance intention to use electronic health record systems: The antecedent role of personality and organisation support.

Nurses play a crucial role in the adoption and continued use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs), especially in developing countries. Existing literature scarcely addresses how personality traits and organisational support influence nurses' decision to persist with EHR use in these regions. This study developed a model combining the Five-Factor Model (FFM) and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to explore the impact of personality traits and organisational support on nurses' continuance intention to use EHR systems. Data were collected via a self-reported survey from 472 nurses across 10 public hospitals in Jordan and analyzed using a structural equation modeling approach (Smart PLS-SEM 4). The analysis revealed that personality traits, specifically Openness, Experience, and Conscientiousness, significantly influence nurses' decisions to continue using EHR systems. Furthermore, organisational support, enhanced by Performance Expectancy and Facilitating Conditions, positively affected their ongoing commitment to EHR use. The findings underscore the importance of considering individual personality traits and providing robust organisational support in promoting sustained EHR usage among nurses. These insights are vital for healthcare organisations aiming to foster a conducive environment for EHR system adoption, thereby enhancing patient care outcomes.

Пятифакторная модель и диагностический опросник внутриличностного гендерного ролевого конфликта

Background. Personal self-regulation at the level of value-semantic formations is complicated when gender self-awareness is formed with multiple, sometimes mutually exclusive gender roles and images. This creates conditions for the development of intrapersonal conflicts, one of them being the Intrapersonal Gender Role Conflict (IGRC). We define IGRC as a systemic contradiction at the value-semantic level of personality, arising as a result of the clash between the high subjective significance of various gender roles and dissatisfaction with self-realization in these roles. Compensatory behavior serves as a sign of IGRC, while the absence of IGRC is associated with effective self-regulation of a person based on the conscious individual transformation of gender models of self-realization. The study of this phenomenon requires developing the diagnostic tools. Objectives. Testing of a questionnaire developed on the basis of the five-factor IGRC model. Study Participants. 397 women and 209 men (working, having a family and children) aged 25 to 46. Methods. Descriptive statistics and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), non-linear standardization on a five-point scale, intercorrelation analysis. Results. The study presented psychometric indicators and standardization of the IGRC questionnaire on the role areas of “Gender Self”, “Professional Self”, “I am like a husband/wife”, “I am like a host/hostess”, “I am like a father/mother” on the samples of men and women. It was found that in the female sample the expression, as well as the range and dispersion of indicators in all spheres, are significantly higher compared to those in the men sample. The analysis revealed a correlation between all spheres of the IGRC formation in women, while in men this trend is not observed: the conflict may develop in one sphere and not affect the others. Conclusions. Testing of the IGRC questionnaire confirmed that both men and women can exhibit compensatory behavior, manifesting the development of this type of conflict in its five identified areas. Gender differences in IGRC are manifested in the fact that in women, as a rule, all areas of the conflict develop in a more integrated way and have greater severity, compared to men. The five-factor IGRC questionnaire with standardized scores on the scales presented in the article makes it possible to use this tool for further studies of the manifestations and mechanisms of IGRC.

Development of a structured interview for the modified version of the Beth Israel Hospital psychosomatic questionnaire for alexithymia.

An observer-rated questionnaire for alexithymia based on the original 17-item Beth Israel Hospital Psychosomatic Questionnaire for Alexithymia (BIQ) was developed by Sifneos in 1973 and modified into a 12-item version of BIQ by Taylor etal. in 1997. However, it has rarely been used in a clinical or research context and studies have not given satisfactory inter-rater reliability for the 12-item version. To develop a structured interview in Japanese for the12-item modified version of BIQ (m-SIBIQ) to determine the reliability and validity of the m- scores and its factor structure model. Ninety-two Japanese young adults were interviewed. The inter-rater reliability of the m-SIBIQ was assessed by exploratory factor analysis. For the concurrent and convergent validities, correlation analysis was done between the scores of m-SIBIQ and the self-reported questionnaires: 20-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), Emotional Empathy Scale (EES), Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Goodness of fit of the structure model of the m-SIBIQ was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis, and the results were examined through stepwise multiple regression analysis. Good reliability was obtained for the total score of m-SIBIQ: Cronbach's α.950 (p<.001) and ICC.75(p<.05). The validity of the factor structure was obtained by confirmatory factor analysis using covariance. The model of the alexithymia constructs was configured by the operative thinking (la pensée opératoire) and affect awareness components. The stepwise multiple regression analysis extracted the total score of m-SIBIQ as significantly, negatively correlated with the Openness to experience score of NEO-FFI and significantly, positively correlated with the emotionally chilly score of EES and the score of difficulty describing feelings (DDF) of TAS-20. There were no correlations between the m-SIBIQ and BDI-II scores. For Japanese young adults, the m-SIBIQ is a reliable and valid instrument for overcoming weaknesses of the self-reported procedures by bringing to light the alexithymia construct and principal dimensions.

Personality traits in patients with multiple sclerosis: their association with nicotine dependence and polypharmacy.

The modifiable risk factor exerting the most substantial influence on the development and disease course of multiple sclerosis (MS) is cigarette smoking. Furthermore, smoking is associated with a higher risk of suffering from one or more comorbidities and potentially contributes to polypharmacy. We aimed to use personality tests to explore health-promoting and harmful patient characteristics. To investigate two important factors influencing the course of MS - the degree of smoking dependence and the status of polypharmacy - in association with personality traits. This is a bicentric, cross-sectional study. We collected sociodemographic, clinical and medical data from patients with MS (n = 375) at two German neurological clinics. The participants were asked to complete the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) and the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R). Relationships between variables were examined using correlation analyses, and differences between groups were examined using linear models. Current smokers with MS were also asked to complete the Fagerström questionnaire to categorize them into patients with mild, moderate and severe smoking dependence. In our sample, 67.5% were women, and the mean age was 48.1 years. The patients had a median Expanded Disability Status Scale of 3.0 at a median disease duration of 10 years. Patients with MS with severe smoking dependence had on average a significantly higher neuroticism score in the NEO-FFI compared to those with mild or moderate smoking dependence. Patients with MS and polypharmacy had significantly higher neuroticism scores than those without. In the extraversion scale of the NEO-FFI, patients with MS and polypharmacy had significantly lower scores on average. Significant differences were also found when analysing the TCI-R in patients with MS and heavy smoking dependence, with higher scores for harm avoidance (HA) and lower scores for reward dependence, self-directedness (S-D) and cooperativeness (CO) in various subscales. Polypharmacy in patients with MS was associated with higher scores for HA and self-transcendence. Furthermore, patients with polypharmacy showed lower values than patients without polypharmacy in individual subscales of the dimensions of persistence, S-D and CO. Using the NEO-FFI, we were able to show that neuroticism is a detrimental trait and extraversion a protective trait in patients with MS in relation to nicotine dependence and polypharmacy. In addition, the evaluation of the TCI-R showed that high HA as well as low S-D and CO scores were more common in patients with MS and nicotine dependence or polypharmacy. With this knowledge, the risk of polypharmacy and smoking can be understood in the context of personality characteristics and targeted treatment and counselling can be provided.

The Mediated Moderation of Conscientiousness and Active Involution on Zhongyong Practical Thinking and Depression.

This study integrates traditional Chinese culture, precisely the philosophy of Zhongyong () thinking, with the prevention and treatment of depression. It involved a study with 700 undergraduate students from a college in Guangzhou, using the Negative Zhongyong Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory for assessments. The findings demonstrated that negative Zhongyong thinking predicts depression inversely. Additionally, conscientiousness indirectly and positively influences this relationship through active involution, thereby enhancing its overall effect. The analysis used the 2-mediated moderation (2meMO) model, which effectively handles error heterogeneous variances and provides a detailed assessment of the interactions between these variables. The specific findings are as follows: (1) There are correlations among negative Zhongyong thinking, depression, conscientiousness, and active involution; (2) Conscientiousness can directly and positively regulate the association between negative Zhongyong thinking and depression, and it can also indirectly regulate this relationship through active involution; (3) The higher the conscientiousness, the more actively individuals engage in active involution, thereby strengthening the negative predictive effect of negative Zhongyong thinking on depression. These research findings contribute to the enrichment of theoretical research on the prevention and treatment of depressive symptoms and offer a fresh perspective on the utilization of traditional Chinese culture in depression prevention and treatment.

AI for Everyone? Disposition Towards the Use of GPT Chat Among Secondary School Adolescents

This quantitative research examines the utilisation patterns of GPT chat platforms within the adolescent demographic of secondary school students, exploring the potential associations between such usage and their vocational interests, gender, and personality traits. The study involved 75 students from a technologically advanced high school, where tablets and iPads are innovatively implemented, largely replacing traditional teaching aids in every subject. A diagnostic survey and two psychological tests – NEO Five-Factor Inventory NEO-FFI by P.T. Costa and R.R. McCrae – Polish adaptation and Multidimensional Preference Questionnaire WKP were used. The research indicated a correlation between gender and interests and declared level of knowledge about AI tools: in the study group, boys declared a higher level of knowledge and interests. Moreover, there is no significant correlation between personality and the use of ChatGPT. Individuals with managerial and organisational interests reported higher interest in ChatGPT. Conversely, individuals with practical and aesthetic interests stated that ChatGPT restricts creativity.

Is personality reflected in the gestures of second language speakers?

Previous studies on gestures and personality suggest an ambiguous picture of the effects of the various personality dimensions on the different types of speech-gestures and adaptors. In foreign language learning an additional variable to take into account is proficiency, which some studies have shown to affect gestures. In this study, we explore how various intrinsic variables, including personality, proficiency, gender and age affect the gestures of 61 Cantonese speakers of English as a second language. Participants were asked to narrate a video cartoon. Their proficiency and the frequency of gestures produced was based on those narrations. A functional categorization of gestures was followed, dividing them into semantic and discursive, and that also noted adaptors and micro-gestures, referred to as "flutters." Personality was self-reported using the 44 question Big-Five inventory. Correlations and a series of generalized linear models were developed to explore the interplay between variables. Agreeableness was found to be positively correlated with semantic gestures; and neuroticism and age were negatively correlated with flutter duration. Contrary to the findings from previous studies, no significant relationships were found between neuroticism and adaptors or semantic gestures, nor between extraversion or openness and semantic gestures. Proficiency and gender had little effect on gestures. As personality has been shown to be an important factor in gesture production in mother tongue speakers, we expected to also see a similar result with foreign language speakers, this not being so suggests that other variables, aside from those tested, should be considered. In particular, the results suggest that emotion and emotional constructs, such as anxiety, self-confidence or empathy, might have a greater impact on gesture production than proficiency or personality, a point which should be taken into account especially in language evaluation contexts or professional contexts with second language speakers.

Learning Engagement in a Pre-Alpha Version of an Educational Game: Evaluation and Proposed Solutions

Game-based learning focuses on engaging and immersing students in playability, and User Experience is a good opportunity to improve the game experience and to engage students in real learning. A theoretical five-factor model of learning engagement is used to analyse the overall sense of engagement in primary and secondary school students in a playtesting setting in the early stages of developing an inclusive educational mathematics video game mainly designed for deaf and hearing students. A measuring engagement usability playtest was conducted to answer the following research questions: a) What do students perceive as a sense of engagement? b) What information about the engagement is worthwhile to improve the game design and game experience? Twenty-three hearing students (15 boys and eight girls) participated in the study. The participants are 2nd to 12th graders, with a mean age of 13.7. After students played the pre-alpha version of a video game, most agreed that the prototype was challenging, reporting motivation to undertake the game’s mathematical challenge. They perceived the game activity as clear and achievable. The students also reported having control over different types of actions in the game, and nearly one-quarter of the students perceived the game activity as not immersive. Also, the older students expressed that the game’s purpose seemed irrelevant to their age group, which ultimately affected the game’s general rating on the clarity of the game’s purpose. The playtesting sessions reveal that players need help separating the game from its educational goal, and the misalignment between the character’s movements affects the game’s action control. After collecting engagement problems in playtesting sessions, the study proposes solutions, including changing interface elements. The current work demonstrates the importance of evaluating engagement in playtesting sessions in the early stage of development to improve the game experience long before the final version.