Keep Talking, and Nobody Explodes!
The Gamer’s Guide to Communication and Power
In the last decade, there has been a dramatic shift in the way young people spend their free time. Studies have shown that the youth of today are less likely to socialize with friends outside of the home and are more involved in structured, adult-supervised activities, spending the majority of their leisure time indoors (Karsten, 2005). It is worth noting that the youth of today, unlike previous generations, have access to a “virtual playground” where they can interact individually and socially with peers (Kuntsche et al. 2009). Technological advancements and societal changes have made gaming a prevalent and defining feature of this generation’s leisure time (Brooks et al., 2015). Gaming as a leisure activity has grown to such an extent that between 2006 and 2010, the percentage of hours spent gaming for adolescents rose from 42% to 55% among boys and 14% to 20% among girls (Brooks et al., 2015).
Gaming and the Pandemic
A significant amount of research is dedicated to understanding the negative effects of excessive gaming; however, it is essential to consider the positive effects. Evidence suggests that gaming can improve skills in social cooperation (Adachi & Willoughby, 2013), enhance prosocial behavior (Gentile et al., 2009), boost motivation, and increase perseverance when facing failure (Sweetser & Wyeth, 2005). Online gaming saw a drastic surge in popularity following the worldwide lockdown - a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the early months of the pandemic, reports indicated that people spent more than twice as much time gaming as pre-lockdown periods (Clement, 2024). Primarily in part because gaming provided individuals a way to socialize with others despite the enforcement of protective measures such as social distancing and the restriction of free movement amongst populations (DiFrancisco-Donoghue et al., 2023). With traditional avenues of entertainment no longer accessible, online gaming became a source of enjoyment that aided in stress and anxiety reduction (Barr & Copeland-Stewart, 2022).
Power, Communication Behaviors, and High-Stress Gaming
As technology continues to shape the lives of newer generations, serving as a primary outlet for leisure and social interaction, it is essential to understand how people connect with one another through these digital platforms. The present study seeks to investigate power dynamics within dyads and interpersonal dominance behaviors exhibited in high-stress gaming scenarios that simulate cognitive overload. Additionally, the study aims to focus on how individuals perceive their power relative to their partners.
Meet the Team
Dr. Manuel (Manny) Pulido CSULB Professor
Kehalani Campbell CSULB Master’s Student Class of 2025
Megan Lauricella CSULB Master’s Student Class of 2025