Therapist Breaks Down How Souls Games Affect Our Mental Health

Updated: February 24, 2025

PsychLore


Summary

The video delves into the psychology behind Souls games and how they can help alleviate anxiety and depression for players. By exploring the addictive gameplay loop centered around leveling up, exploring, and defeating bosses, the speaker draws parallels to Operant Conditioning's reward system. The importance of shifting perspectives to overcome negative emotions is emphasized, with the games providing a sense of achievement and success through overcoming challenges and receiving rewards.


Interest in Souls Games

The speaker, a health counselor intern, shares their interest in the psychology behind the Souls games and how these games have saved and improved anxiety for many players.

Psychological Perspective on Gameplay

The speaker explores how the gameplay loop in Souls games, centered around leveling up, exploring, and fighting bosses, is inherently addicting and based on a reward system, similar to Operant Conditioning.

Emotions and Perspective

The discussion delves into emotions like anxiety and depression, highlighting how negative thoughts can escalate under certain perspectives. It emphasizes the importance of shifting perspectives to overcome negative emotions.

Achievement and Reward System

The speaker explains how the Souls games provide a sense of achievement through overcoming challenges and beating bosses, leading to rewards and a feeling of success. The reward system in these games is discussed in relation to anxiety and determination.


FAQ

Q: What psychological concept is the speaker comparing the gameplay loop in Souls games to?

A: Operant Conditioning.

Q: How does the speaker describe the relationship between negative thoughts and emotions like anxiety and depression?

A: The speaker explains how negative thoughts can escalate under certain perspectives.

Q: What is highlighted as an important factor in overcoming negative emotions according to the discussion?

A: Shifting perspectives.

Q: What sense of achievement do the Souls games provide to players?

A: A sense of achievement through overcoming challenges and beating bosses.

Q: What kind of reward system is emphasized in relation to anxiety and determination?

A: The reward system in these games.

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