CHAPTER 1

The Problem and Its Background

Introduction

In recent years, The popularity of mobile legends has skyrocketed. The

Philippines is a well-known region in the world of Mobile Legends. They've

even won four world championships from 2019 to 2023. Mobile Legends has

emerged as a dominant force, captivating players with its immersive

gameplay and competitive multiplayer features. While the excitement and

entertainment that Mobile Legends provides are undeniable, concerns

upsurge about the potential negative impact of excessive gameplay,

particularly on classroom performance.

This study will strive to understand how this addictive and immersive

game may impair students' ability to focus on and excel in their classroom

performances. We seek to know the effect of excessive gameplay on the

attitude and mindset of students. According to a study conducted by Li et al.

(2022), excessive video game usage can lead to reduced study time and

lower academic achievement. A study suggests that heavy mobile game

players have poorer classroom performances due to the time and energy

dedicated to gaming instead of studying. Many research studies focus on the

behavioral effects of Mobile Legends Gameplay. This behavior becomes

continual and leads to prioritizing playing games over academic attainment.

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 In 2020, the Philippines was Ranked No. 2 in the game's highest

number of downloads of Mobile Legends. The game is considered one of the

most time-consuming games around the globe. When playing Mobile

Legends, students often lose track of time, leading to negative effects on their

classroom performances. This is due to several reasons, including addiction

to the game and a lack of self-control.

This qualitative study aims to investigate the impact of excessive Mobile

Legends gameplay on the classroom performance of Grade 11 General

Academic Strand students. The study intends to identify the specific behaviors

and experiences of students who engage in excessive gaming and the

problems associated with problematic gaming. By doing so, the study can

provide a clearer understanding of the causes and consequences of

immoderate gaming to help students make better-informed decisions about

their gaming habits, and increase awareness among students about

prioritizing schoolwork over gaming.

The General Academic Strand aims to provide students with a

comprehensive education, and any possible adverse impact on classroom

performance requires in-depth investigation. To assess the frequency and

duration of Mobile Legends gameplay among Grade 11 General Academic

students. To explore the reasons behind excessive gameplay.To analyze the

correlation between excessive Mobile Legends gameplay and class

performance.

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Research Questions

1. How does mobile legends gameplay affect the students' class

performance?

2. What strategies do students use to balance their time between Mobile

Legends gameplay and their academic work?

3. What are the lived experiences of students who engage in excessive

Mobile Legends?

4. Why do students engage in excessive Mobile Legends gameplay,

despite the potential negative impacts on their classroom

performances?

Objectives of the Study

This study intends to determine the impact of excessive Mobile Legends

gameplay on class performance among Grade 11 General Academics Strand

students at Arellano University, Andres Bonifacio Campus in Pasig City.

● Analyze the correlation between excessive Mobile Legends gameplay

and class performance.

● Identify potential academic and social consequences of excessive

gaming.

● To explore the perceived benefits and drawbacks of engaging in

excessive Mobile Legends gameplay.

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Theoretical Theory

Thorndike's Theory of Learning

Thorndike's theory of learning is named after Edward Thorndike, an

American psychologist who proposed the theory in the early 1900s. Thorndike

is considered one of the pioneering figures in modern psychology, with his

work on the law of effect, law of exercise, and law of readiness contributing

significantly to the field of behaviorism and educational psychology.

Thorndike's theory states that organisms learn by associating the

consequences of their actions with the actions themselves, which drives

changes in behavior. The theory suggests that individuals learn through trial

and error, with successful actions being reinforced and unsuccessful actions

being punished, resulting in changes in behavior that lead to increased

efficiency and success.

Thorndike’s law of effect

Thorndike's Law of Effect is that behavior results in either good or bad

consequences. If the consequences of a behavior are good, then the behavior

will be repeated, which is known as reinforcement. If the consequences of a

behavior are bad, then the behavior will not be repeated, which is known as

punishment. While this theory was originally intended to explain the learning

process in animals, it can be applied to human behavior as well

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 The study is anchored on Thorndike’s Law of Effect, the behavior of

excessive gaming can be viewed as a response to the rewarding experiences

provided by video games. The experience of completing a level, achieving a

high score, or winning a game can provide a sense of accomplishment and

satisfaction. However, as with any rewarding behavior, the Law of Effect

would suggest that excessive gaming can also result in negative

consequences. For instance, individuals may experience a sense of guilt or

shame for spending too much time gaming, or they may neglect other

important aspects of their lives, such as school, work, or relationships, in favor

of playing video games. Ultimately, the negative consequences of excessive

gaming can outweigh the positive rewards, leading to a cycle of addictive

behavior.

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Conceptual Framework

Figure 1.

Conceptual Model of the Study

This study is based on the Independent Variable (IV) and Dependent

Variable (DV) Models. The IV is the Students playing Mobile Legend, which is

considered a potential predictor of the outcome under DV.

The DV is the classroom performance of Grade 11 General Academic

students regarding their Class Attendance, Class Participation, and Grades.

This outcome variable is dependent on the respondents' excessive playing of

Mobile Legends. The study aims to explore a possible relationship between

the IV and DV.

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Statement of the Problem

The researchers aim to examine the impact of Mobile Legends on the

classroom performance of the Grade 11 General Academic Strand students at

Arellano University Andres Bonifacio Campus Pasig City.

I. Why do students play Mobile Legends instead of fulfilling their

academic responsibilities?

II. How do students still have consistency in playing Mobile Legends

despite its negative effects?

III. What consequences do those students experience after excessively

playing Mobile Legend gameplay?

Assumptions of the Study

1. Excessive Mobile Legends Affects Focus and Time Management: It is often

assumed that students who spend excessive time playing Mobile Legends

may experience difficulties in focusing on their studies and managing their

time effectively. This assumption arises from the belief that indulging in

prolonged gaming sessions may result in a lack of concentration, thereby

negatively affecting class performance performance.

2. Mobile Legends can lead to decreased academic motivation: Another

assumption is that excessive Mobile Legends engagement can diminish

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students' motivation to study. The allure of the game and the immediate

gratification it provides may lead to reduced interest in class pursuits, resulting

in lower-class performance.

3. Poor sleep quality affects class performance: Assuming that students who

engage in excessive Mobile Legends sacrifice their sleep to accommodate

gaming sessions, it is believed that this lack of proper rest can impact their

cognitive abilities negatively. Poor sleep quality may result in decreased

attention spans and impaired class performance.

Hypothesis

(HO): The extensive engagement in Mobile Legends may adversely influence

classroom performances by diverting attention from studies, fostering a

negative attitude toward learning, and shaping a mindset that prioritizes

gaming over educational responsibilities.

(HO): The potential academic consequences of excessive gaming may

include lower grades, reduced comprehension of academic material, and

compromised time management skills, ultimately impacting the student's

overall academic success in the Grade 11 General Academic Strand.

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Significance of the Study

The following entities will benefit from this study students, parents, professors,

and future researchers.

Student/s

Studying is crucial for students as it helps them to improve their abilities

and skills in different subjects. Learning about the causes and effects of

excessive gaming can assist students in making informed choices about their

gaming habits. This raises their awareness of prioritizing schoolwork over

playing games.

Parents

The impact of playing Mobile Legends can vary among parents. While

some perceive it as a source of entertainment, others may worry about

excessive screen time and its impact on their children's classroom

performances or social interactions. Parents must strike a balance between

gaming and other activities, as well as maintain open communication with

their children.

Teachers

When teachers know that their students are listening and actively

participating in class, rather than playing mobile games, it boosts their

teaching capability. This makes the teachers more willing to teach the

students and help enhance their academic capabilities, rather than dealing

with distractions caused by mobile games.

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School Administrators

Can raise awareness about the negative impact of excessive mobile

gaming on classroom performances among students. Administrators can

develop more effective interventions to address this issue, including policy

changes, awareness campaigns, and new programs. the development of

addictive gaming behavior among students, which could be used to develop

more effective intervention strategies.

Researchers

The study could contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the field

of gaming addiction and its impact on classroom performances, which could

be used to inform future research and policy decisions. The study could serve

as a model for other researchers who are interested in investigating similar

topics, guiding study design, methodology, and ethical considerations.

Scope and Delimitation

The study aims to investigate the impact of excessive gameplay of

Mobile Legends. The primary participants of this research will be Grade 11

students who are enrolled in the academic year 2023-2024. The respondents

will be restricted to 10 Senior High School students who are studying in the

General Academic Strand at Arellano University, Andres Bonifacio Campus,

Pasig City.

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 The study focuses solely on Grade 11 GAS students, recognizing the

impact of excessive Mobile Legends gaming on this specific group. By doing

so, the essay aims to provide targeted interventions and support for this

demographic. However, it is important to acknowledge that class performance

is influenced by many factors, such as home environment, study habits, and

external stressors. Therefore, considering other factors alongside gaming

habits can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship

between gaming and Classroom performance.

Summarization

The purpose of the study Examining the Impact of Excessive Mobile

Legends Gameplay on Class Performance: A Qualitative Study among Grade

11 General Academics Strand Students at Arellano University, Andres

Bonifacio Campus Pasig City is to investigate the potential impacts of

excessive mobile gaming on classroom performances, which is a relevant

topic in today's society. The study can provide a clearer understanding of the

causes and consequences of excessive gaming help students make

better-informed decisions about their gaming habits, and increase awareness

about prioritizing schoolwork over gaming.

The study also anchored to Thorndike's theory of learning to understand

the motivating factors behind excessive gaming, which can be shaped by both

positive and negative reinforcement. The theory suggests that individuals will

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continue to engage in the behavior of excessive gaming as long as it provides

a sense of positive reinforcement, and will only stop or reduce the behavior if

it no longer provides that reinforcement. The study seeks to explore the

perceived benefits and drawbacks of excessive Mobile Legends gameplay,

and its impact on the classroom performances of Grade 11 General

Academics Strand students at Arellano University in Pasig City.

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