I don't get why people refer to casual / hardcore as a mentality, they can even be exclusive from each other. I think the problem really lies in the word 'hardcore' as it easily has two meanings when referring to online games. There is the time definition of hardcore and the playstyle definition of hardcore. Casual is similar in that it has a double meaning. Either time definition or playstyle definition. That's how I define those at least...
Casual (Time) - Logging on maybe 3 or fewer days a week for only a few hours, or frequently throughout the week for smaller sessions. In any event, it implies that not that much time per week is spent on the game.
Casual (Playstyle) - Not being focused on character progression. Any MMO game's entire underlying purpose is character progression, consistent deviation from this would imply playing the game in a very casual manner.
Hardcore (Time) - Logging on semi frequently to frequently for long periods of time.
Hardcore (Playstyle) - Putting character progression as a primary goal.
I play casually, but hardcore. I spend very little time playing, but when I do so, I am playing it in a way that would emphasize character progression more than anything else.
There were times I played World of Warcraft hardcore, but in a casual way--logging on mostly just to speak to guild mates and help some people out if they needed it.
You can mix and match those definitions and their gradients to describe your own habits.
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