Beyond Killers and Socialisers: Game-Based Learning and Gendered Career Adaptability

Abstract

This full paper investigates how gendered gaming behaviors mirror and shape adolescents’ career adaptability, a key competence for navigating uncertainty in career planning. Drawing on quantitative data from the Swiss longitudinal project www.digibe.ch (2021–2025), the study analyses how male and female students’ gaming preferences (N = 134), based on Bartle’s typology, align with psychosocial adaptability resources such as cooperation, concern, creativity, confidence, and control. A quantitative approach was applied, combining descriptive statistics, chi-square and Mann–Whitney U tests. Results show that male adolescents predominantly identified with the competitive Killer type, characterised by goal orientation and mastery, while female adolescents preferred the cooperative Socialiser type, emphasising communication and collaboration. These patterns were mirrored in career-reflection processes: female students demonstrated stronger cooperation in their career planning. The findings suggest that gaming serves as both a mirror and a training ground for adaptability. While reinforcing gendered tendencies, it simultaneously provides opportunities to experiment with alternative coping strategies. The study concludes that guided reflection on gaming experiences can help balance gendered skill profiles and enhance equity in career planning.