An Exploratory Investigation of Personality in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Abstract

Personality traits can provide insightful predictions relating to thoughts, feelings, and behavior. The aim of the present study was to examine differences in personality traits across in-game rank in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). A total of 95 CS:GO players from the United Kingdom and North America were classified using CS:GO in-game rank and grouped into high, moderate, and low in-game rank. The NEO-Five-Factor Inventory questionnaire was utilized to measure the Big Five Personality traits. Using one-way multivariate analysis of variance with follow-up tests of discriminant analysis, our main finding was that high in-game rank players reported significantly lower levels of neuroticism and significantly higher levels of conscientiousness than both moderate and low in-game rank players. The present study offers preliminary evidence elucidating personality differences across in-game rank in CS:GO players.