Psychology of Video Games Podcast

Psychology of Video Games Podcast

Author: Jamie Madigan Language: English Episodes: 100
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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.
Episodes
Episode 90 - ADHD and Gaming [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:15
In this episode I talk with an expert on diagnosing and treating ADHD in children. We'll talk about the challenges video games present to people with ADHD and some strategies for dealing with problems it may present.Audi…
Episode 89 - In-Game Purchasess [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:24
In-game purchases are a staple of modern game design, especially in the free-to-play and live service categories. This isn't necessarily bad as a business model, but there are some psychological effects that these games…
Episode 88 - Dungeons & Dragons & Skills [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:22
Sometimes we have to sell people on the merits of games like Dungeons & Dragons. People like parents, principals, teachers, or even our own significant others Usually this comes in the form of telling them all the great…
Podcast 87 - Immersion and Presence in Video Game Worlds [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:46
Is technology or game design more important for determining whether we feel immersed and present in the world of a video game? What kinds of things will make us forget about the screen between us and that world, the cont…
Podcast 86 - The Psychology of Role-Playing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:57
What do psychologists and games researchers have to say about the idea of role-playing, when you pretend to take on another person's persona, point of view, thoughts, and state of mind? What effects can role-playing game…
Podcast 85 - The Psychology of Loot and the Diablo Series [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:13
What can the psychology of loot drops tell us about the evolution of the Diablo series?Audio Credits:“Robot Motivation” by The Polish Ambassador, licensed under Creative Commons: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
Episode 84 - Games and Moral Reasoning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:26
Can playing a lot of games lead us to become better at explaining why a given character or behavior is moral or immoral?Audio Credits:“Robot Motivation” by The Polish Ambassador, licensed under Creative Commons: CC BY-NC…
Episode 83 - Grinding [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:27
In this episode, I'm flying solo and doing a deep dive into what one theory has to say about why we're motivated to play video games, with an emphasis on grinding in particular.
Podcast 82 - Therapy With Dungeons & Dragons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:03
There's a growing trend among therapists who bring people together --often children, but sometimes adults-- to play Dungeons & Dragons and other role-playing games in a therapeutic context. Run by game masters who are qu…
Episode 81 - Digital Sales [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:38
I talk about some of the psychology behind sales, especially digital sales that have no physical items or storefronts involved. What are some of the things that digital storefronts do --either intentionally or not-- that…

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