Podcast 37: Cognitive Psychology and User Experiences

Podcast 37: Cognitive Psychology and User Experiences

Author: Jamie Madigan July 2, 2018 Duration: 1:14:19
Psychology of Video Games Podcast
LeisureGamesVideo Games
Basic psychological phenomena like memory, perception, and emotions have huge implications for the design of products or experiences, from nutritional labels to phone apps to voting registration forms to video games. And people who study those kinds of user experiences need to be aware of some of the very basic ways that squishy human brains can be expected to operate as they set out to test and measure how people interact with their products and make sense of their media. If they don't take those things into account, they lose one of their most important guideposts to improving user experiences and helping the designers or directors of the world execute on their visions.

These are the kinds of things I'll be talking about with this episode's guest expert, Dr. Celia Hodent. We will also talk about the challenges and pleasures of being a user experience consultant, and we'll even talk a little about the runaway success of Fortnite: Battle Royale.

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

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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.

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