Memes are a lot more sophisticated and complicated than you might assume. This episode unpacks the idea of memes and how we use them.

Ever seen or heard something from a video game while you weren’t playing? We talk about these “game transfer phenomena” and their implications.

My guest expert and I talk about the psychology behind geek fandom conventions, how people behave at cons, and how Covid has changed them.

How can psychologists help esports athletes improve, stay healthy, and thrive?

When games have a message, do players respond?

I have a full house of guests this episode, talking about a new book about psychology and Final Fantasy.

What does the research say about how video games can help us be more positive and happy?

How game designers avoid –or deliberately use– the psychological phenomenon of loss aversion

What does research say about why people troll in video games?

Why do people donate to Twitch streamers? What kinds of relationships do streamers and viewers have?

My guest expert and I talk about supporting those who play and work in gaming communities.

I and my guest expert, a psychology Ph.D. and researcher at Riot Games, talk about using psychology to make better games.

How one guild leveraged a basic understanding of economics to dominate other MMO players.

How do the mental models of League of Legends experts differ from other players? And what does it matter?

How one non-profit is using RPGs to teach skills, help people, and enhance therapy.

How do level designers look to psychology for helping players can navigate, move through, and make sense of their virtual worlds?

Guest experts discuss their “adversarial collaboration” to measure (or not) the effects of sexualized avatars.

Are friendships and other relationships formed in online games substitutes for offline relationships? Are they better?

Psychology of Games Summer Book Club concludes with Nir Eyal, author of newly released Indistractible.

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

My guests and I discuss how moral choices in games differ from other media and some of our favorite and most compelling choices from games.

How do psychologists study empathy and how can it best be used in games?

The full interviews behind my recent episode on psychology and loot boxes.

Should loot boxes be considered a form of gambling? Is there a relationship between loot box spending and gambling?

How do game developers make virtual items as collectible as physical objects?

I talk with several authors of the new book, The Psychology of Zelda: Linking Our World to the Legend of Zelda Series

Why does gamification work, or not work? Can a game be used to screen job applicants?