Research Journal

Bibliography Entry 4

Longman, Huon, Erin O'Connor, and Patricia Obst. "The Effect of Social Support Derived from World of Warcraft on Negative Psychological Symptoms.." CyberPsychology & Behavior. 12.5 (Oct. 2009): 563-566. Print.

Summary
This article talks about a study done on 206 participants who play the online game World of Warcraft. The article talks about why it chose World of Warcraft, and the demographics of the participants of the study. The purpose of the study is to test previous research based on the social interactions of online games, and provides evidence that social support can be derived from online games and online games can promote social health. It also contains information on harm from excessive use of online games.

Reflection
I am finding through my research that the studies done concerning online games, and online gaming addiction is by what seems like a small circle of people in academia. I found a website advertising a rehab center (here in Utah) who quoted a Kimberly Young as the expert in the field of online gaming addiction here in the United States. She is the author of the first report I submitted as an annotated bib. The article above comes from the same journal, same issue as the article of hers that I am using. Also the authors reflect back on the older article I am using concerning studies done in other countries. It is interesting to see the researchers draw similar conclusions. Also, I like this article, because it contains a lot of positive information. I feel it will be good to use in my research so that my research paper doesn't sound completely pessimistic.

Bibliography Entry 5: Student Choice

Hopson, John. "Behavioral Game Design." Gamasutra 21 APR 2001: 1-2. Web. 26 Jul 2010. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3085/behavioral_game_design.php?page=1

Summary
This article is written by a game research employed at Microsoft Game Studios. His biography states that he has worked on several bestselling games (but doesn't define what role his work played), and informs us that he holds a doctorates in behavioral and brain sciences. Creepy. The article talks about the behavioral psychology that is used when creating games. He first references B. F. Skinner, and his Skinner box. Creepy x2. In a nutshell the article is about how game designers try to anticipate the way gamers react to video games, and how they really react to video games.


Reflection
I originally wanted to interview some one, but this article was too good to pass up. I will still probably interview people if I still need information to support my arguments.