Dr. Susanne Poeller focuses on motivation in video games. Specifically, her interest is in researching interindividual differences in motivation: why do some people enjoy playing socially more than others? Why do some people feel a strong need to perform well in games, while others might just wish to relax and have fun when playing? Why do some players place more importance on building a reputation in a multiplayer game environment?
She has a strong interest in understanding and integrating different psychological theories and applying them to the context of both digital games and tabletop-roleplaying games. She frequently works with McClelland’s need theory (motive disposition theory) but also employs flow theory, self-determination theory, approach and avoidance motivation. Other constructs that she has worked with include the big five factor model, different player typologies, attribution theory, action and state orientation as well as personality systems interaction theory.

Beyond theories, she has an interest to research behavioural differences in video games beyond self-report. She further aims to understand and highlight toxicity in video games from different perspectives (e.g., verbal abuse and sexism) with the aim to contribute to finding solutions and creating a welcoming gaming environment for all players.

Publications

Susanne Poeller, Karla Waldenmeier, Nicola Baumann, Regan L Mandryk (2021) Prepare for Trouble and Make It Double: The Power Motive Predicts Pokémon Choices Based on Apparent Strength, Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Virtual: ACM

Martin Dechant, Susanne Poeller, Colby Johanson, Katelyn Wiley, Regan L. Mandryk (2020) In-game and Out-of-game Social Anxiety Influences Player Motivations, Activities, and Experiences in MMORPGs, Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, p. 1-14, url, doi:10.1145/3313831.3376734

Martin Dechant, Susanne Poeller, Colby Johanson, Katelyn Wiley, Regan L. Mandryk (2020) In-game and Out-of-game Social Anxiety Influences Player Motivations, Activities, and Experiences in MMORPGs, Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings, doi:10.1145/3313831.3376734

Susanne Poeller, Nicola Baumann, Regan L. Mandryk (2020) Power Play: How the Need to Empower or Overpower Other Players Predicts Preferences in League of Legends, Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings, doi:10.1145/3313831.3376193

Martin Dechant, Susanne Poeller, Colby Johanson, Katelyn Wiley, Regan L. Mandryk (2020) In-game and Out-of-game Social Anxiety Influences Player Motivations, Activities, and Experiences in MMORPGs, Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, p. 1-14, url, doi:10.1145/3313831.3376734

Susanne Poeller, Max V. Birk, Nicola Baumann, Regan L. Mandryk (2018) Let me be implicit: Using motive disposition theory to predict and explain behaviour in digital games, Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings 2018-April, doi:10.1145/3173574.3173764

Susanne Poeller, Max V. Birk, Nicola Baumann, Regan L. Mandryk (2018) Let Me Be Implicit, doi:10.1145/3173574.3173764

Susanne Poeller, Max V. Birk, Nicola Baumann, Regan L. Mandryk (2018) Let me be implicit: Using motive disposition theory to predict and explain behaviour in digital games, Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings, doi:10.1145/3173574.3173764

Max V. Birk, Benjamin Buttlar, Jason T. Bowey, Susanne Poeller, Shelby C. Thomson, Nicola Baumann, Regan L. Mandryk (2016) The effects of social exclusion on play experience and hostile cognitions in digital games, Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings, doi:10.1145/2858036.2858061