Neuroscience of Learning and RPG (excerpts)
These are brief excerpts from some of my papers on the neuroscience of learning and relevance to role-playing games. Complete versions are available to Patreon supporters, research staff and RPG.Education students.
Introductory Snippets From Cognitive Neuropsychology Perspective on Learning, & Relevance to Role-Playing Games
by W.A. Hawkes-Robinson, RPG Research.Revision: 20171129c Rev 20190512d
The approaches discussed in this document can be applied to all RPG Formats in various ways, with different strengths and weaknesses presenting in each format (as per the RPG Model):
- Tabletop (RPG / TRPG / TTRPG)
- Live-Action (LRPG & Larp)
- Electronic (ERPG) (including audio, computer-based solo, multiplayer, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality
(VR), etc.) - Hybrids (HRGP) (including solo adventure books/modules.
Ideally a mix of all 4 formats would likely have the most powerful effects. This document focuses primarily on the tabletop format of role-
playing games, though not exclusively.
playing games, though not exclusively.
A number of well researched techniques that can be used to increase the likelihood of participants better encoding information into their memory, include the following considerations:
- Avoid divided attention[missing page] situations, keeping distractions from the topic being studied to a minimum, to reduce the risk of various interference factors.
- Deep level processing[missing page] (172), including using “why questions” to improve elaboration[missing page] & distinctiveness[missing page] (173).
- To further the elaboration, focus on the specific meaning of the concept, and try to relate it to prior knowledge reinforcing the interconnections to concepts that you have already learned (172).
Differential learning[missing page] and distributed practice[missing page]. Spread learning & retrieval/rehearsal trials out over time, rather than “mass learning[missing page]” aka cramming. - Address limitations of the processing of new information from Short Term Memory (STM) into Long Term Memory (LTM) process, considering chunking[missing page] and other relevant issues, by having the study time broken up into shorter segments, with breaks in between, or topic shifts alternating, for a more distributed learning approach over time, rather than trying to cram (mass learning) in a very short time.
- Over-confidence, or inaccurate self-assessment[missing page] of competency areas. Use techniques and/or technologies that provide more objective feedback on areas you are struggling with, and help direct more time in the areas needing more work, and less time in the areas actually already mastered.
- It is also critical to once again emphasize getting enough sleep, as well as sufficient exercise. All of the above is significantly inhibited by lack of sufficient sleep and exercise strongly promotes cognitive processes.
- Also take into account various medications and other substances that can drastically alter cognitive functioning for many hours, days, weeks, or more.
Many students, especially older learners with families and careers, will very much relate to the challenges, when using learning techniques that are known to be less effective or actually ineffective such as: plain rehearsal (memorize by rote), plain mnemonics (without deeper level processing techniques applied), cramming, etc., versus what we know works much better, with a strong body of research supporting better techniques, but just “too little time” or energy to “do it right”.
From a cognitive-neuroscience perspective, if considering learning role-playing games, and also interestingly using role-playing games as a potential intervention modality to improve the learning process, the following might be the ideal approach for maximal effect:
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I could keep elaborating much more, but you get the idea.
Using this modality addresses achieving a much better deep processing[missing page] approach, with rich mental imagery[missing page] (though there are concerns about people with Aphantasia in this context, so using other senses besides sight is recommended), abundant distinctive cues[missing page] for encoding[missing page] and retrieval[missing page], and pulls upon existing knowledge[missing page], and learning in layers].
The quest/goals/story-driven approach better enhances the likelihood that the information will be [[motivating[missing page] and interesting, and it uses the narrative technique[missing page] (182) to further enhance associative knowledge[missing page] for a complex series of information components.
The use of a character that that the learner can relate to, even just slightly, enhances the probability of the self-reference effect[missing page] furthering the deep-level processing[missing page].
The challenges to overcome within the game create desirable difficulties[missing page], and simulate aspects of the testing effect[missing page]. (177)
In my previous presentations papers I have elaborated upon how exploration of opportunities[missing page], according to Professor John Dattillo of Pennsylvania State, is an extremely powerful tool for enhancing the learning experience.
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The unusual imagery combinations provide some distinctiveness[missing page], while the narrative, story/game-driven approach allows significant opportunities for elaboration[missing page], variety of cues[missing page], etc.
The unusual imagery combinations provide some distinctiveness[missing page], while the narrative, story/game-driven approach allows significant opportunities for elaboration[missing page], variety of cues[missing page], etc.
Especially tying it in with a character that somehow resonates for the learner personally, can greatly enhance the benefits shown from self-reference effects[missing page] (173).
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...may help with the inconsistent environmental effects of the encoding-specificity-principle[missing page] (174), by providing, in the learner's imagination at least, a more consistent environment for them to encode and recall the information, regardless of the actual physical environmental differences between studying at home and taking the test in the classroom.
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This would (verbally, in the case of tabletop RPG) include rich multi-sensory descriptions[missing page] and some interesting cognitive puzzles or riddles as games-within-the-game. This approach greatly increases the variety of cues (visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, gustatory, etc.) available for each person to personally connect with, and also addresses anyone with "Aphantasia" that might not benefit as much from purely “mental image” approaches.
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...All of the above is something I have often done in teaching thousands of others over the decades in multiple industries and settings, and it has been amazingly effective for those participants.
References
- Dattilo, J. Positive Psychology and Leisure Education. A Balanced and Systematic Service Delivery Model. (2015). Vol XLIX, No. 2. pp. 148-165. Therapeutic Recreation Journal.
- Matlin, M. W. Cognition. 8 th Edition. (2013). Wiley & Sons. Hoboken, NJ.
- https://www.academia.edu/s/356322a2b7/using-role-playing-games-to-enhance-the-learning-process-from-the-cognitive-neuropsychology-perspective?source=link
- RPG Research. http://www2.rpgresearch.com/documents/primary/list/sorted-by-discipline/education Viewed November 29 th , 2017.
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