Podcast 49: Empathy

Podcast 49: Empathy

Author: Jamie Madigan July 4, 2019 Duration: 48:41
Psychology of Video Games Podcast
LeisureGamesVideo Games
Empathy --the ability to understand and share the emotions of others-- is a powerful tool for those wanting to create games where the goal is to get players to think differently and have powerful emotional experiences. It can be used to great effect and probably plays a big part in more games than you realize.

But leveraging empathy in games has its own risks and pitfalls. Designers who do so need to be aware of these so that they can successfully create the outcomes they want and so that players aren't abused or exposed to undue distress.

Fortunately, my guest expert on this episode, Kelli Dunlap PsyD, is here to help us explore and understand this psychological concept.

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

Official website RSS
spotifyapple_musicpatreon
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.

«12345678910»