001 - Video Game Frustration, Aggression, and Rage Quitting

001 - Video Game Frustration, Aggression, and Rage Quitting

Author: Jamie Madigan March 13, 2015 Duration: 44:41
Text. Pfft. Text is dead, am I right? Voice without video, THAT'S the future.

Given that, I've decided to dip into the world of podcasting and have recorded my first episode. I talked to Dr. Andrew Przybylski from Oxford University about research that he and his colleagues have done on video game violence, frustration, aggression, and motivation. Specifically around some additional questions and research topics that psychologists should be investigating around aggression and games. We also talk about how game designers and community managers might use this research to make players feel less frustrated and angry in certain circumstances.

I'll update this post once the podcast is searchable in iTunes, but here are some links:

The podcast RSS feed

A direct download link to Episode 1



And if you want to listen to the podcast RIGHT NOW, click the play button below.



This is my first attempt at podcasting and I've already learned a lot making just this one episode. But I also want to hear your feedback and suggestions. Just head over to the Contact page and shoot me a note. Likewise, if you're a researcher or someone with a psychology background working in the gaming industry, let me know if you'd like to be a guest! It's a great way to share what you've been working on with interested listeners. I'm aiming to post a new podcast every month.



Finally, I hear you like links. Here are some links relevant to this episode.



Info on this week's guest:

Info on Dr. Przybylski and his publications

Ever wonder why a particular game mechanic feels so satisfying or why you keep returning to a certain virtual world? Psychology of Video Games Podcast digs into those exact questions, moving beyond simple reviews to explore the mental machinery behind our play. Hosted by psychologist Jamie Madigan, each episode applies research and theory to understand our experiences with games. You’ll hear discussions on how developers use principles of motivation and learning to craft compelling systems, and what our behavior-from cooperation to rage-quitting-reveals about our minds. This isn’t about finding the next game to play; it’s about understanding the ones you already love on a deeper level. The podcast unpacks the subtle psychological hooks in design, the social dynamics of online worlds, and the cognitive reasons behind our emotional responses. Whether you’re a dedicated gamer or simply curious about human behavior, these conversations offer a unique lens on a popular pastime. Tune in for a thoughtful analysis that connects the dots between academic psychology and the everyday realities of playing video games.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Psychology of Video Games Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 60: Take This (dot org) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:08
I mean, wouldn't it be nice if there were organizations out there that were dedicated to helping people in the gaming communities cope, be healthy, and get the help they need? Wouldn't it be great if there were someone o…
Episode 59: What is a Games Researcher? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:01
People with psychology degrees fill a lot of roles in the gaming industry, including researchers working within a game development company. I talk to one such researcher who works at Riot Games, maker of League of Legend…
Episode 58 - The Economics of Online Games [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:56
Just as video games can provide great examples of concepts from psychology, they can also illustrate concepts from neighboring fields. Like economics! In this episode, my guest expert walks us through his adventures in u…
Episode 57 - Mental Models in League of Legends [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:17
Mental models are representations that help people understand and predict systems or situations such as a match in a competitive game. My guest expert this episode reports on his research into understanding the differenc…
Episode 56 - Game to Grow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:28
How therapeutic Dungeons & Dragons sessions are reaching people who need help in an engaging way.
Podcast 55 - Psychology of Level Design [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:28
What are some of the ways that video game level designers look to psychology for helping players can navigate, move through, and make sense of their virtual worlds?
Podcast 54 - Sexualization in Games [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:08
Should you expect playing as a sexually objectified avatar like Lara Croft to impact women's attitudes towards their own bodies or to create other harmful attitudes? My guests this episode engaged in what they called "ad…
Podcast 52 - Being Indistractable [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:53
Welcome to part two of this two part miniseries on Psychology of Games summer reading. In this episode I talk with author and consultant Nir Eyal about how to use psychology and other methods to avoid being distracted by…
Podcast 51: Lost in a Good Game [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:23
Psychology of Games Summer Book Club begins with an interview with Dr. Pete Etchells, author of the newly released Lost in a Good Game.