The Psychology of Video Game Engagement

About this Training

Video games are designed to grab our attention, to motivate us to play, and to enjoy ourselves as we do it. In this lecture, Dr. Jamie Madigan will explore some of the most common psychological levers that game designers use to get players engaged with their game. Knowing how games purposely use goal setting, feedback, social cues about competition, and growth mindsets will help gamers and those around them approach the hobby on their own terms and get the most out of it.
Yes! I Want To Learn About Geek Therapy!

The Psychology of Video Game Engagement

Learning Objectives

  • #1

    Identify how games are leveraging carefully crafted feedback to encourage players not to give up

  • #2

    Analyze the choices games make when providing information about the performance and behavior of other players so as to motivate them to improve

  • #3

    Identify how a game is trying to instill a growth mindset in games for the benefit of the client.

  • #4

    Apply engaging game design to other activities in workplace, school, or therapy scenarios

Play Therapy

Learning Objectives

  • #1

    Participants will be able to define play therapy and identify the 10 seminal theories and historically relevant approaches that guide play therapy practice.

  • #2

    Participants will identify two play therapy interventions that combine characters, themes, and/or narratives present in video games that harness the therapeutic power of play for supporting the mental health and well-being of children, adolescents, adults, and/or families.

1 APA Hour Upon Completion

The Telos Project is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Telos Project maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Geek Therapeutics is an approved Cosponsor.
Yes I Want APA CE Hours For My License!
NBCC ACEP # 7042

1 NBCC Hour Upon Completion

Geek Therapeutics has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7042. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Geek Therapeutics is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Yes I Want NBCC CE Hours For My License!
NBCC ACEP # 7042

1 ACE CE Hour Upon Completion

Geek Therapeutics, #1769, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Geek Therapeutics maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 05/19/2021 – 05/19/2022. Social workers completing this course receive 1 continuing education credits.
Yes I Want ACE CE Hours For My License!

1 APT CE Hour Upon Completion

Geek Therapeutics, #21-649, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Play Therapy (APT)Approved Continuing Education program. Registered and Associated Play Therapists completing this course receive 1 continuing education credits.
Yes I Want APT CE Hours For My License!

Instructor(s)

I/O Psychologist

Jamie Madigan

Jamie Madigan Ph.D. has become an expert on the psychology of video games and seeks to popularize an understanding of how various aspects of psychology can be used to understand why games are made how they are and why their players behave as they do. Dr. Madigan has written extensively on the subject for magazines, websites, his own site at http://www.psychologyofgames.com, and in two books: Getting Gamers: The Psychology of Video Games and Their Impact on the People Who Play Them and The Engagement Game: Why Your WorkPlace Culture Should Look More Like A Video Game. He has also appeared as an expert on the psychology of video games in outlets such as Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, Wired Magazine, The Atlantic, and others.

Enjoy These Further Benefits!

  • Understand Your Clients

    Learn how to understand and work with your clients using proven strategies derived from competent practice, knowledge, and culture while knowing what questions to ask them.

  • Learn From A Leader In The Field

    Presented by one of the leading experts in the field of Psychology, this training presents upon the topic using real life examples.

  • Become Knowledgeable In The Culture

    Through understanding the culture and connecting with our clients, we create meaning, relationships, and a place for new thought to birth.

Course Curriculum

  • 1

    The Psychology of Video Game Engagement

    • Welcome to the The Psychology of Video Game Engagement Workshop

    • The Psychology of Video Game Engagement Handout

    • Video Games and Play Therapy PPT Handout
  • 2

    The Psychology of Video Game Engagement Video

    • The Psychology of Video Game Engagement Video

    • The Therapeutic Potential of Video Games in Play Therapy
  • 3

    The Psychology of Video Game Engagement Learning Objectives Quiz

    • The Psychology of Video Game Engagement Learning Objectives Quiz
  • 4

    The Psychology of Video Game Engagement CE Evaluation

    • The Psychology of Video Game Engagement CE Evaluation
  • 5

    Final Steps

    • Here are the next steps!

Other Information

Access is provided to the course via email after registration and payment is made.

System Requirements: A computer and a stable internet connection.

Target Audience: Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, Mental Health Professionals.

Content Level: Beginner

Course Completion Requirements: Completing all sections of the training of written information, video completion, learning objectives quiz, and course evaluation.  Evaluations are part of the coursework.  The certificate will then be generated immediately after all requirements have been completed.

Date Recorded: 12/04/2021

Please contact Geek Therapeutics for any grievances at hello@geektherapeutics.com.

Disability Accommodations

It is the responsibility of the Individual to contact Geek Therapeutics to request disability accommodations at Hello@geektherapeutics.com.   

Geek Therapeutics is committed to helping each student reach his/her academic potential and to providing every student equal opportunity to participate in and engage with the course.  In keeping with this commitment, effort has been made to develop accessible learning materials that provide equal access.  Please contact Geek Therapeutics immediately if access to course materials is restricted due to a disability so the issue(s) can be resolved in a timely manner.

Geek Therapeutics

hello@geektherapeutics.com

1650 West Rosedale Street, Suite 305, Fort Worth, Texas 76104 – (682) 231-2420
Website