Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Caliphbubba 09-08-05, 09:23 AM	Good morning all, I am planning on writing a paper for a college class about how roleplaying games can be a good coping skill for disenfranchised youth. I've been playing some sort of roleplaying game since I was 9yo(i'm 27 now) and I credit it with helping me keeping me sane, and out of trouble. Does anyone know of any good resources that might elaborate on that? Opposite view point are also welcome too I suppose. We’ve all heard the stories of “troubled youth” being led astray by “the evil” of roleplaying games. I intend to refute that. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. thanks, Caliphbubba
Shotgun_badger 09-08-05, 10:38 PM	I think some psychological foundation in NYU made a study that Roleplayers are more imaginative and mathimaticly talented or something. Sorry I can't help alot, just Google NYU Roleplay psychological study and you may get it, it was about a year ago though.
katarl 09-09-05, 02:34 PM	There are quite a few sources that you could use for evidence, albeit, most of it is quite squarely placed against dnd players. Most evidence that people give on the subject for or against dnd is from personal experience, rather than real evidence, and concepts rather than statistics. The majority of the hard evidence i have heard tend to be in the gamers favour, however, since it has substantial effects on peoples social awareness, improves mental abilities, develops friendships etc. LARPing merely adds exercise (which many of the stereotypical players sorely need) to the mix. Some of the anti-dnd sites below are Christian, but could reasonably easily be changed to a secular view point. Should a Christian play Dungeons and Dragons? ***************/articles/frpg.asp Its from chick, so don't expect intellectualism. Israels Army frowns on Dungeons and Dragons www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3052074,00.html 'Real' world stuff Confessions of a dnd addict www.mjyoung.net/dungeon/confess.html more christian stuff Harry Potter and Dungeons and Dragons: Like peas in a pod? www.crossroad.to/text/articles/D&D&Harry.htm Ha ha. Is Pokemon next maybe? Yu gi oh? How about Teletubbies? Dungeons and Dragons: Concerns for the christian www.webzonecom.com/ccn/cults/satn07.txt Quite good, lots of actual info, rather than sensationalism. Dungeons and Dragons vs Christianity student.valpo.edu/dtesch/dnd.php Straight talk on Dungeons and Dragons ***************/articles/dnd.asp Laugh. Religious tolerance: Dungeons and Dragons www.religioustolerance.org/d_a_d2.htm Excellent resource, no side, everything you need for a paper Any good? Dnd actually reduces suicide rates, the rates among gamers lower than both average, and that of the clergy. I forget where this is stated from, so it may not be useful. From my own personal experience, dnd has been a deeply positive experience, and i think that most of us here feel that way too. There is precious little evidence to state against it, and a plethora of evidence for it, so its an easy argument. I personally like to argue for the losing side, though.
Caliphbubba 09-12-05, 09:05 AM	Greetings, Thanks for the links, and suggestions. I will defiantly give them a look. I thought there would be a lot of information on this subject when I first started it, but after four hours of searching my school’s online library I’ve found that I was sorely mistaken. I’m surprised that no grad student somewhere has used this type of subject as a thesis. Thanks, Caliphbubba
calistro 09-14-05, 03:11 PM	http://www.nickyee.com/daedalus/ here is a link to a survey done by a guy that was researching psych stuff. It's mmorpg but some of the info might be of use. enjoy
Bruunwald 09-14-05, 03:20 PM	Religious tolerance: Dungeons and Dragons www.religioustolerance.org/d_a_d2.htm Excellent resource, no side, everything you need for a paper Ahhhh yes. Religious Tolerance.org rules. I was going to link this if somebody else didn't. Thanks. I really like that site. They also have a great section on clearing up the myths surrounding Halloween (my favorite holiday).
Jagyr Ebonwood 09-14-05, 03:38 PM	Ahhhh yes. Religious Tolerance.org rules. I was going to link this if somebody else didn't. Thanks. I really like that site. They also have a great section on clearing up the myths surrounding Halloween (my favorite holiday). And links to some good sources on Taoism, my religion of choice. religioustolerance.org is definitely a good site for any bibliography.
High Octane 09-14-05, 09:32 PM	If you want to Private Message me I'll tell you about how I stopped having suicidal thoughts after I started playing D&D, if you would like a first hand account for your paper.
Psychoticpsymon 09-14-05, 11:08 PM	Wow Octane, if your serious than I'm at a loss for words. To think that a simple game like this, that me and my college mates play possibly 3 hours a week in small stints and enjoy thoroughly, had such an impact on your life really puts some of it in perspective. I thought it was only a distraction from the stress, but to know it helped someone to that degree makes me proud to play. There's something for you college-guy :D Write about people who came to these boards and made good friends, or even their experiences with the game and people involved.
High Octane 09-15-05, 12:53 AM	For the record, yes Im serious. Im not sure if its really because I started playing in my late teens and just passing the teen years was enough to stop the angst, or it was the game. But I can tell you D&D has been one of the most fun and fulfilling things Ive ever done, and its a strange coincidence that around the time I started playing seriously I stopped having any serious suicidal thoughts.