Why Women Watch eSports

In a recent study, CSMRE faculty affiliate, Natasha Brison, and colleagues examined why women watch eSports. They collected data from 479 fans of the Houston Outlaws, a team that participates in the Overwatch League. Relative to men, women were more motivated to watch eSports for social reasons, because they had an interest in the players, and the players’ attractiveness. Men, on the other hand, were motivated because they enjoyed the aggressiveness and and entertainment value. The authors note: “Our results also suggest how perceived social roles may influence gender differences in attachment to the athlete and its relationship with spectating motives.”

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Yu, B., Brison, N. T., & Bennett, G. (2021). Why do women watch esports? A social role perspective on spectating motives and points of attachment. Computers in Human Behavior, 107055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.107055