Chelsea Gault | Ep 9

Chelsea Gault | Ep 9

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The Psychology of Online Gaming and Personality Type.

In this episode, we explore the psychology of Personality, Archetypes and Self-Perception in online video game playing.  

We chat about her research into Player Archetypes (the different roles players take on while gaming), how players may become disinhibited while they game, and how choosing a specific avatar can change a gamer’s perception of themselves. 

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Chelsea Gault

Chelsea is a full time Cyberpsychology PhD student at the University of Buckingham.

She works at Virtual Reality Experiences as a researcher, supporting the evaluation and development of a range of VR assessment and training modules. She also tests the use of VR for team building and group assessment – supported by empirical evaluation and research.

Is is also as a part-time hourly paid lecturer at the University of Huddersfield – lecturing in a variety of Psychology related subjects, – both at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level.

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Chelsea shares her cyberpsychology journey that underpins her passion for gaming and competitive e-sports. We cover:

Chelsea’s Background and Passion for Gaming:

  • Chelsea’s early love for gaming inspired her academic pursuits, blending her passion with research in psychology.
  • She detailed her transition from counselling to cyberpsychology, spurred by her curiosity about how gaming affects reaction times and behaviour.

Esports and Gender Inclusivity:

  • Chelsea explains the world of esports—competitive electronic gaming—and its growing prominence globally.
  • As a top-ranked player and the first female president of her university’s esports society, she highlighted the challenges of gender stereotypes in gaming and her role in breaking barriers.

Academic Insights into Gaming Behaviour:

  • From her undergraduate dissertation to her Master’s research, Chelsea explored how gaming genres and player archetypes influence behaviour. Her findings exposed limitations in categorising gamers solely by genres or archetypes.
  • Her PhD seeks to develop a trait-based approach to understanding gamer behaviour, moving beyond traditional categorisations.

The Proteus Effect and Online Disinhibition:

  • Chelsea described how in-game avatars influence behaviour (the Proteus Effect) and the impact of online anonymity on self-expression.
  • She noted that while gaming allows individuals to explore aspects of their identity, the real-world effects are typically short-term.

Gaming Myths Debunked:

  • Addressing misconceptions, Chelsea refuted the stereotype that gaming leads to aggression or social withdrawal. Research shows gamers often excel academically and develop robust social connections through gaming.
  • She stressed the importance of recognising gaming as a social and rewarding activity when balanced with offline responsibilities.

Parenting in a Digital Era:

  • Chelsea provided practical advice for parents, emphasising communication, understanding the games their children play, and fostering a balanced relationship with technology.
  • She highlighted the need for parents to help children build offline connections and monitor for signs of excessive gaming.

Cybersecurity and Online Safety:

  • Tips included using two-factor authentication, separating personal and gaming emails, and educating children about the risks of sharing personal information online.

Future of Cyberpsychology:

  • Chelsea’s work aims to reshape how we understand gaming and its psychological impacts. Her research challenges the sensationalist narratives often propagated by the media, advocating for a nuanced, evidence-based perspective.

This episode offers a thought-provoking dive into the intersection of gaming and psychology, shedding light on the benefits of gaming and the importance of informed, empathetic discussions around the topic. 

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