The role of psychology in understanding the impact of computer games

Over the last 40 years, computer games have become an extremely popular leisure activity and more recently there has also been interest in the potential of serious games to help in learning, skill acquisition and attitude and behaviour change. Initially public interest in computer games focused on concerns about their violent and gender stereotyped content and their potentially addictive properties, but more recently the benefits of games have also been recognised. Psychology is at the interface between science, cognitive science and social science and in this paper we examine the role that theories and research in psychology have played in understanding the impacts of playing games, the appeal of games and the potential of games in supporting learning and behaviour change.

Research highlights
► In recent years computer games have become an extremely popular leisure activity.
► Serious games can help in learning, skill acquisition and behaviour change.
► Psychologists can help to explain the diverse impacts of playing computer games.
► Research in psychology can help in explaining the appeal of entertainment games.
► Psychological theories can help in designing and evaluating serious games.