I was just running the usual periodic search for anything related to RPG research or RPG therapy, and found out there is a group in Israel recently attempting to use role playing games as an assist to therapy for children. The original site is in Hebrew, so I have to rely on the postings from "Purple Pawn" to keep posted. Though my stepfather is Jewish, if I could talk him into reading it for me....
Another important step in building momentum on the RPG Research Project is nearly complete...
The examiner.com posted an article about the RPG Research project.
On October 30th, 2011, I was having a discussion about the various bio-feedback and neuro-feedback experiments I have performed related to music therapy, and it occurred to me that the same technology could potentially help make it easier to develop a therapeutic modality with role playing games using the same equipment, at the very least to try to determine the recreation therapy goal of a state of "flow" more objectively....
It has been a very busy couple of months actually doing role playing gaming with a number of different RPG systems. I haven't posted in a while, so thought I would give a quick update on what I have been working with lately...
A number of people have suggested undertaking research on whether using RPGs could be helpful or harmful for war veterans struggling with PTSD.
Brooke joined RPG Research in April 2018. She is the organization's Volunteer Coordinator and Director of Fundraising & Marketing.
Assuming the Aristotelian belief in catharsis is true (there is some debate about the validity of catharsis in the psychology research world)...
I have delved a little further into the Warhammer Fantasy Role Play rules, and from what I am seeing, I have a working theory as to where WH FRP may have it's usefulness for a specific subtype of role playing gamer, the immature player.
Just some thoughts on some of the independent variables to modify and then observe the different results (if any)...
Just a quick list of a few of the dependent variables to test over time.
Which state & federal legislators have engaged in role-playing gaming?
Still going to be a while before can test these hypotheses, but here are some ideas about potential benefits and uses of different RPG formats for different population needs. If you have ideas, corrections, suggestions, additions, please do comment to help add to the list for future potential testing inclusion.
If indicated viable from the research results of all the previous steps, define the requirements for a Game Master Therapist (GMT) or Game Master Instructor (GMI) in applying a role-playing game therapeutic or educational module.
Just the general overview theory I have about participation in RPGs. These ideas will be tested as I work out more detailed hypotheses to test these concepts for validity...
It is still far to early to be sure that this vision for the future will even be relevant several years from now, as the research data begins to roll in, but if any of the core assumptions hold even remotely true, then the long term goal of creating RPG therapy modules could become a reality.
Experiment with creating “adventure modules” specifically designed to address targeted population needs such as socialization issues between different groups.
Determine if there are any controllable, repeatable "positive" or "negative", statistically significant characteristics of role-playing gaming sessions that can clearly be defined and controlled, and might be most useful to using role-playing games for specific therapeutic treatments, either separately or in conjunction with other therapy modalities.
Game Journal
