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ETHNOGRAPHIC REFLECTION ON GROUP FORMATION IN BLIZZARDÂÂ'S ÂÂ"WORLD OF WARCRAFTÂÂ"

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Date Issued:
2010
Abstract/Description:
Cyberanthropology or the anthropology of cyber space/culture is an emerging subfield of cultural anthropology that deals with the varied integration of human beings and technology. This specialized area of study focuses on topics ranging from new technologies used in ethnographic research to information and communication technologies utilized by specific societal groups. Communication technology encompasses the World Wide Web, email, and online multiperson interactive spaces such as chatrooms and video games. In this work, I ethnographically investigate human social interactions in the online gaming realm of World of Warcraft. On the whole, the expanding numbers of virtual communities in existence today offer new and exciting realms for social scientists in general, and anthropologists in particular, to expand their knowledge of social interaction. During the period between August 2007 and May 2009 I ÂÂ"livedÂÂ" with the players of WoW as a participant observer. The culmination of this research spotlights virtual group formation and dynamics from an anthropological perspective and is intended to pave the way for future research.
Title: ETHNOGRAPHIC REFLECTION ON GROUP FORMATION IN BLIZZARDÂÂ'S ÂÂ"WORLD OF WARCRAFTÂÂ".
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Name(s): Spottke, John, Author
Matejowsky, Ty, Committee Chair
University of Central Florida, Degree Grantor
Type of Resource: text
Date Issued: 2010
Publisher: University of Central Florida
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Cyberanthropology or the anthropology of cyber space/culture is an emerging subfield of cultural anthropology that deals with the varied integration of human beings and technology. This specialized area of study focuses on topics ranging from new technologies used in ethnographic research to information and communication technologies utilized by specific societal groups. Communication technology encompasses the World Wide Web, email, and online multiperson interactive spaces such as chatrooms and video games. In this work, I ethnographically investigate human social interactions in the online gaming realm of World of Warcraft. On the whole, the expanding numbers of virtual communities in existence today offer new and exciting realms for social scientists in general, and anthropologists in particular, to expand their knowledge of social interaction. During the period between August 2007 and May 2009 I ÂÂ"livedÂÂ" with the players of WoW as a participant observer. The culmination of this research spotlights virtual group formation and dynamics from an anthropological perspective and is intended to pave the way for future research.
Identifier: CFE0003462 (IID), ucf:48393 (fedora)
Note(s): 2010-12-01
M.A.
Sciences, Department of Anthropology
Masters
This record was generated from author submitted information.
Subject(s): anthropology
gaming
warcraft
cultural
group
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003462
Restrictions on Access: public
Host Institution: UCF

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