Counterintuitive Spring 2023

Being afraid sucks. Right? Well if being afraid is such a drag, than why is it that the horror genre is so popular? People are paying to get the the sensation of fear, which, intuitively, that notions sounds ludicrous. I would like, very much, to research the horror genre and to look deeper into this behavior.

Fear is often associated with less than optimal circumstances and adverse mental affects. However it seems it cannot possibly be all bad. What exactly is it people get out of the fear experience that makes them want to pursue it? Perhaps there is a much more significant and possibly healthy effect caused by experiencing fear through a medium, than one would initially expect. It is something people must desire for a reason and I would like to know, in acute detail, why; and also, how it effects them.

Psychology of Fear by M. Adam Palmer

Background: This essay thoroughly delves into many aspects and facets of just what exactly fear is and the effects it can have on an individuals body and mind and just why exactly those effects occur and vary.

How I intend to use it: This is my starting point. Before delving into the potentially “theoretical” hipster articles about how people are masochists or something like that; I would prefer to establish a stable foundation based in reason. This essay goes into the scientific and statistical aspects of fear. This allows me to inform the reader more efficiently what exactly fear is. This essay also cites many other works that address this, which I intend to pursue to develop an even more sound foundation.

Observing a fictitious stressful event: haematological changes, including circulating leukocyte activation.

Background: Simply; watching horror films can boost your immune system. While I was unable to pursue this scientific research directly due to the fact it costs a hefty sum to view, which I do not wish to spend in case my topic pitch is denied, I was able to find other brief articles that reference the research. Article 1 and Article 2. These articles address that scientific research was performed which shows that there is a correlation between fictitious stressful events and increase in Leukocyte (white blood cell) performance.

How I intend to use it: This is already a significant counter intuitive point against the stigma of fear. This shows that there are in fact correlations between horror media and good health. If I do get green-lighted to pursue this topic, I hope this will be one of many points I will get to make that shows there is more to fear than simply adverse effects.

Why Are We Drawn to Horror Films?

Background: This article discusses desired effects one may seek from horror films. The writer herself claims she cannot get enough of them. She discusses how there are unique experiences to be had when one is not being emotionally connected to the frightening events and that it ignites imagination.

How I intend to use it: This interesting article discusses a fair amount of points about the appeal of the horror genre and the benefits that can be obtained from consuming it. I intend to use this article to offer some insight delivered by someone who seems to have a passion for the genre. An example of how and why it should be enjoyed.

BODY OF FEAR: HOW YOUR BODY KEEPS YOU PLAYING HORROR GAMES

Background: This article discusses the horror genre in respect to the Video Game medium. It talks about biological reasons players decide to endure a horror game and just what makes them want to keep coming back for more. It is also reflective on psychological and mental reasons for playing the games. Such as an immersive break from reality.

How I intend to use it: This article shows horror in a medium other than films and offers a broader perspective on the genre than if one were to simply use films as the only horror example. Playing a game is different from watching a film. It is even more intimate with the fear. The barriers between the true horror of it and yourself are close to non existent. This extreme sensation brings with it an essential fundamental perspective of why exactly one would not only view horror but would even to have a hand in it; and what one could get out of it and why.

The Lure of Horror

Background: Negative can be a positive to people, so says this article. It delves into what exactly makes horror so scientifically appealing in a cognitive sense and some of the subconscious desires it satiates. It also brings up that feeling fear can offer some very compelling insight into the psyche and make-up of the human mind.

How I intend to use this: This article is more science oriented but isn’t purely general like other sources. It focuses on the undeniable lure of horror for humans and why that is. This will be useful in giving a psychological example of just why it is normal and enjoyable for a human to enjoy horror, and just what exactly is going on subconsciously while doing so.

For my research essay, I will be analyzing whether a person’s ability to exhibit self control and delayed gratification is a result of experiences and environmental impact, rather than being a predetermined trait. Is self control a unitary quality, or is delayed gratification a situational trait? A very famous study (Marshmallow Study) by Stanford Professor Walter Mischel demonstrated that when preschool children were able to delay gratification by waiting to eat a treat, they grew up to be more successful adults than those children who did not have that level of self control. In this study, done in the 1960’s, Mischel gave the children a treat (a marshmallow, a cookie, a pretzel) and told the children that if they could wait 15 minutes to eat it, they would get an extra treat. After following the children to adulthood, researchers discovered that those children who demonstrated self control were healthier, had more success, and better grades than those children who immediately ate the treat. Psychologists and social scientists realized that emotional intelligence and self control were more important to life success than IQ intelligence.

However, a new study by Celeste Kidd of the University of Rochester seems to challenge the assumption that exhibiting self control is a predetermined trait that leads to success. In her study, she found that trust and confidence in the results of waiting to receive the reward plays a significant role in a person’s ability to delay gratification. The children tested were able to make rational decisions on the probability of reward based on trust. Celeste Kidd was able to manipulate the degree of delayed gratification by introducing reliable and unreliable variables to their experiment.  In several other studies I have researched, it becomes apparent to me that there has to be social trust (trust in people delivering future rewards as promised) in order for people to be willing to delay gratification in order to achieve a goal. There are also studies that indicate when a child has an absent father, or is homeless, there is a greater probability of a lack of self control.

http://www.rochester.edu/news/show.php?id=4622

1. The Marshmallow Study Revisited

Background: This article discusses the methodology and results of Celeste Kidd’s reinvention of the Marshmallow Study. It demonstrates how children were able to make rational decisions based on the probability of reward.

How I Intend To Use It: This article helps to reinforce my hypothesis that experiences and environmental impact have significant impact on a person’s ability to exhibit self control and delayed gratification. It also demonstrated how self control can be taught to children by enabling their trust in the future outcome.

http://www.livescience.com/23899-twist-on-marshmallow-test-shows-environment-affects-self-control.html

2. Twist on “Marshmallow Test” Shows Environment Affects Self Control

Background: This article discusses the role of trust versus innate self control. It discusses the origin of Kidd’s decision to study the Marshmallow Test (she was at a homeless shelter and knew that the children there would have no self control because of the environment). It also discusses how children with absent fathers scored the lowest in self control.

How I Intend to Use it: It is fascinating that those children with the least amount of trust (absent fathers, homeless environments) are those that score the lowest in self control and delayed gratification, strengthening my hypothesis that trust and confidence are essential beliefs to be successful. These children had little faith that the adults would deliver on their promises, thus they live in unreliable worlds.

http://jamesclear.com/delayed-gratification

3. 40 Years of Stanford Research Found That People With This One Quality Are More Likely To Succeed

Background: This article discusses the Marshmallow Study and the subsequent Kidd Study and states that the ability to delay gratification is critical for success in life. This article states that delaying gratification and self control can be learned and applied.

How I Intend To Use It: This article has four main ways to teach self control, which I intend to analyze in my research paper. It also reinforces my theory that self control is not an innate trait, and can be influenced by environment and experiences.

http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00355/abstract

4. Delaying Gratification Depends on Social Trust

Background: This article analyzes that impact of social trust on self control and delaying gratification. The scientists conclude that people are less willing to wait for rewards when dealing with others they consider untrustworthy.

How I Intend To Use It: This study raises the questions whether early interventions of at risk children (homeless, fatherless) and how providing trust and confidence will affect their ability to delay gratification. Social trustworthiness could address juvenile crime and drug addiction and improve behavior.

https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/willpower-gratification.pdf

5. Delaying Gratification

Background: This article discusses why self control succeeds or fails through a “hot or cold” system. The cool system is cognitive in nature , and reflective. The hot system is impulsive and emotional. The article talks about brain activity and that people with low self control had different brain patterns than people with high self control. It discusses how some people are more prone to hot emotional triggers.

How I Intend To Use It: This article has a neurological basis for the ability to delay gratification which I find very interesting. It also discusses whether or not delaying gratification can be taught, whether or not a person’s cognitive nature is cool or hot.

For the research essay I would like to discuss the how it is not ethical to keep wild animals in captivity. Many people do not realize that the animals they go and see are being harmed. Today, all around the world, thousands of animals are currently held in captivity. Although viewing wildlife seems fascinating to most people, keeping animals in unnatural habitats can have harmful effects on the animal, both mentally and physically.

Places that hold wild animals have argued that it is an educational learning experience to be close and personal to the wild animals. However most people doing research and learning about the wildlife are observing the animal outside of their comfort zone. There is a lack of laws forbidding captivity of animals, however some countries do have more than most. The animal cruelty that is exhibited when taking animals from their natural environment is wrong and needs to be stopped.

Marine Mammals in Captivity

This article strictly talks about Marine Animals in captivity. It gives detailed examples of who marine organisms are affected from the change in the environment from nature to aquarium/zoo. I plan to use this article to argue how having such animals in captivity is physically harmful.

Zoos: An Idea Whose Time Has Come and Gone

I plan to use this article to explain the laws associated with animals in captivity.  This article will also help when explaining how the animals suffer mentally from being in unnatural habitats.

Keeping Animals in Zoos is Unethical

This article will help my argument of zoos being unethical. The article has information on how animals are affected because of the unnatural environments. The article also states some alternatives to keeping animals in zoos. There is a focus on endangered species and helping them in captivity for a  certain time and then to release them back to their habitat.

Zoo Chimps’ Mental Health Affected By Captivity

I will utilize the information in this source to show that animals that are in zoos can develop mental problems. This specific article focuses on monkey’s mental health in relation to monkeys outside of the zoo in their natural habitats. This sources also acknowledges that many people view zoos as education experiences. I plan to use this article to also argue that people are viewing animals with unnatural behavior.

Overview of the Law Affecting Zoos

This article speaks about the laws that are set for wildlife in zoos. The article also explains the endangered species laws. This sources also gives a historical overview of the first public exhibits of animals. This article also explains the CITE law that is in place for trading and holding live animals. I plan to use this article to speak about anti-cruelty laws and that the zoos are cruel to the animals by denying natural environments.

____________________________________________

Patients that lie to their doctors.

House

Summary: Patients often lie to doctors to appear more disciplined that they really are. This article touches upon reasons why patients lie, such as

1. A patient who exaggerates symptoms may get an appointment sooner than if he or she tells the truth.

2. Patients may provoke their doctors to order more extensive diagnostic procedures.

3. They may lie to obtain secondary gain, to protect their careers or to acquire affordable health insurance.

A 2004 WebMD survey found that 45 percent of the 1,500 respondents admitted to lying to their physicians.

4. The primary reason half of those who lie do so is to avoid judgment by the doctor.

-Thirty-eight percent lied about following doctors’ orders,

-32 percent lied about diet and exercise,

-22 percent lied about smoking, 16 percent lied about alcohol consumption

– 12 percent lied about illicit drug use.

how to tell if patients are lying

Article more towards doctors on how to detect lies from patients. Could be used as a rebuttal–how about doctors make sure patients tell the truth–or make them feel more comfortable because the statistics shows 1 out of every 4 lie; therefore doctors much perform accordingly.

book summary

Book tells us reasons why patients lie and why doctors lie.

why patients lie

Article defines lying and talks about types of lies that are apparent in clinics by doctors AND patients.

doctors-over simplify something, minimize problems, mislead patients, and even lie because they avoid delivering bad news.

Patient’s lie : “may minimize or exaggerate symptoms or avoid key clinical issues. Malingering (the conscious simulation or feigning of symptoms for secondary gain) is another form of lying frequently found in forensic and clinical settings. Patients, for example, lie about symptoms to obtain disability or access to controlled medication or to avoid incarceration or other undesired legal consequences of their actions.”

wall street journal

survey article 

another article

they dont want to be judged

____________________________Additional sources

It is evident that some people have advantages over others, enabling them to get jobs, good service, and live a more fortunate life.  Many advantages include being born into a wealthy family, being able to drive a car, and getting a great education. While these factors heavily affect the outcome of people’s lives; one of important things that can affect an individual’s life is the ability to communicate, which is rooted back where the child is born and how their parents taught them to talk.

Communication not only lets people express themselves, it affects how the individual is treated and how far they go in life. In my research, I hope to find how the way we speak affects how we work with others and how it affects the outcomes in people’s lives.

Sources:

http://www.examiner.com/article/doctors-who-see-poorer-patients-get-poorer-performance-ratings?cid=rss

Background: This article talks about how patients from poor backgrounds don’t get the best service from doctors because of their lack of communications skills, making the doctors serve them to the best ability.

How I intend to use it: Shows that people from poor families don’t get the most out of services from doctors, and maybe from other services as well because of their lack of communication skills.

Click to access v013p00330.pdf

Background:This article is about a study of surgical team members to see how communication affects their performance, they team that was unable to communicate affectively had poor results and failures.

How I intend to use this: I’m going to use this to show that they way we talk to other people may result in failures, whether it is during surgery or in a job interview.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100869966

Background: Korean culture affects performance of airplane pilots’ communication, which resulted in plane crashes.

How I intend to use this: To show that family background and culture affects how people perform and how they interact with other people.

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-rich-poor-kids-20150318-story.html

Background: The way family raise the child can affect how successful a child can be. For example, rich families tend to spend more time with their kids, giving the kids better communications skills for school and the work field.

How I intend to use this: To show how the actions of parents heavily weigh the child’s ability to communicate in school and in the work field.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201209/worst-mistakes-parents-make-when-talking-kids

Background: How a parent treat his/her child, affects the child’s communication skills and their behavior.

How I intend to use this: How parents affect how children behave and talk.

For my research essay I will be examining the prescription heroin offered in Vancouver for addicts. A study conducted by the doctors at the Providence Crosstown Clinic – located in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, received their first batch of prescription heroin from a lab in Switzerland that will be given to 120 severely addicted people under medical supervision. Vancouver has been trying to break this problem for many years but by setting up safe zones, a safe place where addicts can shoot up with clean syringes and the supervision of nurses they hope that this hard supply of prescription of heroin can really break the habit from even some of the worst addicts.

“Vancouver combats heroin by giving its worst addicts the best smack in the world”

Background: This article discusses the idea of safe zones and provides remarks from Allen Schauffler, Pacific Northwest Correspondent for Al Jazeera who goes more into depth about the research that’s taking place in Vancouver and the outcome they would like to see.

This article will give me more detailed information from someone who is currently addressing the issue with drugs in Vancouver and will allow me to know if the safe zones are doing any good with decreasing the violence as well breaking addicts away from their addiction.

“Prescription heroin offered in Vancouver outside of clinical trial for 1st time”

Background: Provides a live interview with an addict who is participating in the study. Talks about the program and if the program has done anything for him  since it has started. Also, goes more into depth about the medical aspect of the study such as how many addicts are involved in the actual study or those sent to a methadone.

This article will allow me to address whether the program has been doing any good for the city of Vancouver. Also, do addicts find the program helpful or not since an addict in the study has been interviewed.

Vancouver addicts soon to receive prescription heroin

Background: Talks about the battle of this development between Vancouver doctors and Federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose, who objected to the idea of treatment and introduced regulations to make prescribing the drug outside of clinical treatment illegal.

This article will be very helpful to me when I am researching if anyone was against the idea of prescribing free heroin to some of the worst addicts.

Vancouver’s Supervised Drug Injection Center: How Does It Work?

Background: Provides background information from Tim Gauthier, Insite’s current clinical coordinator and registered nurse on how the safe zones actually work and how are the addicts given the heroin and what it actually means when say they are under supervision.

This article will allow me to described how the safe zones work and what goes on inside them.

Addicts shoot up in safe haven in Canada

Background: Talks about the overdoses that have taken place in the “safe” haven, how the Federal Government doesn’t support the idea of funding drug use and if these safe havens are doing any good to the city.

This article will allow me to address whether safe havens are actually safe is addicts are still capable of overdosing under medical supervision and if it was a good idea to fund drug by providing addicts with not only more heroin but FREE heroin!

For my research essay I will be discussing the actual conversation of rape culture in American society. There is a long history of victim blaming, slut shaming, and siding with the accused, and I want to examine how and why things have changed- for the better and the worst.

There have been significant changes in legal terms dealing with the definition of rape and how to punish those who commit the crime, yet there is still backlash and hesitance when it comes to discussing rape and sexual assault. I want to focus on why the victims themselves have trouble with the conversation, and why they sometimes feel it is not even worth their time to seek legal justice. It is a tragedy that, even after all this time, victims of rape are still experiencing trauma even after they are assaulted.

1. “America Has a Rape Problem – and Kate Harding Wants to Fix it”

This article is an interview with Kate Harding, author of Asking for It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture – and What We Can Do About It. It focuses on what rape culture is and why it is so prevalent in today’s society, as well as key points Harding makes in her book.

This article will help me to discover the specifics of rape culture and why it makes up the most of our environment. The author’s opinion represents a larger voice that will help me understand the victim’s side, as well as how many perpetrators’ mindsets are created.

2. “A Guy Talks About Rape From A Man’s Perspective. (And It’s Not What You Think, Either).”

This video is a monologue that is an example of a male’s view of rape. It discusses the stereotypes men face when they experience rape and how it differs from those that women go through. Although they are different, it is clear that the experience is just as horrible for men.

This video explains a different understanding of rape that will support my claim that victims experience trauma even after they are assaulted. This recount of a rape and the hardship faced (although the subject was acting) will help me explain what victims actually go through.

3. “The Trouble With Teaching Rape Law”

This article provides an example of how sensitive the discussion of rape has become. When discussing rape in a classroom, this author has been told that he should be more considerate to people’s emotional boundaries and triggers. He finds this an issue because rape is a discussion that must be had.

This article will be helpful in supporting my argument that rape has become a difficult conversation to have. It will help me understand why the discussion is so sensitive and may offer ideas on how to prevent people from feeling uncomfortable when involved in conversation.

4. “Why Victims of Rape in College Don’t Report to the Police”

This article is about rape on college campuses, and the way things are handled. It talks about college administration needing a better way to handle these cases, like not blaming the victim or discouraging them from going to the police. It also provides several reasons on why some people who are raped at college do not go to the police.

Information from this article will be helpful because it explains why and how victims do not report their rape. The explanations will allow me to discover why many victims are not comfortable with discussing their trauma.

5. “Men Defining Rape: A History”

This article is about the history of rape culture. It explains what rape was defined as and how it was dealt with in previous times, and there are some comparisons to the some ideals today.

I am going to use information from this article for referencing the history of rape culture. The examples from the article will be used as evidence that rape culture is created, learned, and passed on from generation to generation, which supports the argument that even though things can change for the better, there are still some setbacks.

For my research essay I will be examining the influence of American food Franchises on Other countries. American Food Franchises have been popping up all over the United States since the 1950’s. The food franchses have ran rampant since then leading to almost every town in the country having at least two fast food options to choose from. In cities it is even worse, with American food franchises on every single corner and on every street, even more than one on some streets. After these franchises have taken over America, the owners turned their eyes to the world, building up their chains where they saw fit.

American Fast food franchises have slowly found their way to travel abroad. The owners started to build their establishments in other countries and sometimes right next to famous landmarks. A video on YouTube shows that within walking distance, there is a KFC and Pizza hut for people to eat from. It is not acceptable to have American fast food chains in other countries due to some of these reasons but not limited to, health reasons, culture impact, and animal cruelty.

Source 1

http://www.rt.com/usa/us-obesity-food-global-regulation-551/

The article talks about the negative impact that McDonald has on the obesity rate all over the world. It talks about the rising cost of health insurance due to the health declining. It also references helpful numbers to provide backup as to how many people are now obese and the cost of everything.

Source 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofissTmcsDU

The video is a source to show my viewers that chains have been popping up next to landmarks. I am going to use this video to show that fast food chains do not can care about wonders of the world but yet how many dollars they can fit into their pockets.

Source 3

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3401093/

This article continues to provide proof of the rising health risks in other nations due to the fact of Fast food. It states figures I will utilize to show the negative impact that these chains are having on the health of other nations

Source 4

http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-used-for-food/factory-farming/

The article and video posted on this site show and state the cruelty that the animals go through in order to fulfil the need for the meat in all of the fast food chains in America and in other nations. It talks about conditons and the things that happen that will provide the support I will need.

Source 5

http://www.zentrum-der-gesundheit.de/pdf/mcdonalds-ia_01.pdf

This essay completes it all. It talks about everything needed to support. It talks about the destruction of culture, health impacts, and meat manipulation that takes place in order to supply the food. I will use this article to support all of my negative impacts in this essay.

Giving heroine addicts the exact tools to help them continue using heroine seems counterintuitive. In my research I expect to learn how useful giving these addicts clean needles, and a safe place to do drugs actually effects their overdose rates and chance of survival. I’d also like to learn how it keeps the city safer, and if it helps keep the crime rate lower. I would like to know if these addicts are more or less incarcerated and what benefits this gives them, their city, and the other people who live in it as well as the costs related to this program.

I would also like to know if it costs the same, more, or less to run this program than to keep people with drug problems incarcerated for drug related crimes such as possession, paraphernalia, intent to distribute etc.

http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-02-04/vancouver-combats-heroin-giving-its-addicts-best-smack-world

This story gives insight into what Vancouver does to help heroine addicts. They allow them clean needles and a safe space. I expect it to show me the statistics and standpoints from both sides of the debate.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/17/needle-exchanges-heroin-disease_n_4922237.html

I expect this article to help my curiosity about whether or not this program actually benefits people health wise and if it saves money or not.

This article sums up how other countries are also incorporating the same types of programs that Vancouver has. I expect it to show me if the program is working well in other countries and compare it to how well it’s worked here in the United States so far.

Clean Needles Saved My Life. Now Congress Wants to Ban Funding for Needle Exchange

I expect this article to give me the standpoint that it is actually necessary and life saving to to fund a clean needle exchange program. In this program addicts would exchange their dirty (and possibly harmful) needles for clean ones which could save their life by preventing overdose, infection, or spread of disease.

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/4/18/needle-exchange-programs.html

I would like this article to help me understand the opposition of the use of this program and others around the world. I think it’ll also help me gain greater insight into how the programs are run and their success rates in places other than Vancouver. It’ll show me how people still oppose this being put into law even if it shows signs of a better survival rate.

For my research essay, I will be examining a variety of musical tastes and preferences. Different age brackets may have completely different preferences.For example,   a lot of people like the music that was popular when they were young and adventurous. At some point love so certain types of music, singers, bands sticks with them for the rest of the life. Music preferences can influence person’s behavior, decisions. Also,  music preferences may depend on the mood or season of the year.  When the first snow falls, music brings some magical Christmas mood, warmth and waiting for the mystery.

http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.rowan.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=02fd4d2a-a0a0-487c-8baf-4747d0dcc45e%40sessionmgr4005&vid=1&hid=4202

This article is a research with statistics about college students, young children and their preferences in music. It examines 187 students and kids and compares their results in a chart.

http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.rowan.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=a924f2f2-bab6-4c34-9251-e9aa8f668501%40sessionmgr4004&vid=1&hid=4202

This article is about music preferences and how they depend on a season of the year. The article is a research that clearly describes, how much types of music can depend on the weather outside.

http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.rowan.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=93d24ca4-c753-4567-945f-3ee192c4d9f8%40sessionmgr4003&vid=1&hid=4202

The article describes in details the wide variety of musical styles, how they’re different, and why some people prefer one style over another.

http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.rowan.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=8b06c403-731e-46e3-8e68-4bff2432a95a%40sessionmgr4004&vid=6&hid=4202

Another research about youth and their music preferences. The author believes that music person is listening to can be some kind of protest, and can depend on our surrounding like friends and family.

http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.rowan.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=76917aed-f4d2-471a-816e-ffd5e2dbe722%40sessionmgr4004&vid=1&hid=4202

The article defines what the music preference is and how the music person likes can affect his life.

Although video games typically conjure up images of recluses secluded in their dark basements, new findings are discounting these assumptions and realizing the benefits gaming can have for those on the autism spectrum. Neuroscientists and gaming technology experts have collaborated and developed a counterintuitive creation: a video game called Brainville designed to increase the social skills of those with Asperger’s and other social cognition disorders. This gaming experience provides these socially limited individuals with a safe and stress free virtual world for them to practice common interactions, like job interviews, going to school, and skills needed for socialization. Benefits the participants receive by playing the game are already being reported, namely rising scores in psychological tests and increased abilities to recognize what others were feeling.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/29/autism-video-games_n_6056634.html

This Huffington Post article provides a brief overview of the researchers’ findings. It explains what the game aims to do, provides examples of the benefits found, and has quotes from autistic participants who tout the game’s positive impact. These aspects of the article support my hypothesis that those with autism can find help and social practice within the virtual realm.

http://healthcare.dmagazine.com/2013/08/19/center-for-brain-health-uses-technology-to-help-autistic-children-practice-interaction/

The lead researcher/creator of the project, Carl Lutz, tells of the game and the team’s findings through his own perspective. We are given his background and impressive credentials, providing some validation for what he says.

http://www.autismsciencefoundation.org/what-is-autism

I will cite this source to give a deeper understanding of what autism is, and how deeply it inhibits social skills and causes anxiety in those afflicted. Providing the science of what goes on in the mind of someone with autism will show that video games give them respite from their real world pressures that the disorder causes.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu.documents/31018425/ADDVGames.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJ56TQJRTWSMTNPEA&Expires=1443481315&Signature=kPawBUP2CZIfdbJUfckKVrT0kNs%3D&response-content-disposition=inline

This article provides additional examples of various games used as therapy for autism. It also contains multiple references to studies that involved gaming and autism. I can look these up for additional information as needed.

http://www.medicaldaily.com/storytelling-video-games-may-improve-social-skills-emotional-capacity-kids-autism-328950

The storytelling and life-like aspects of the game are supported in this article. In Brainville, the players act out scenarios that follow linear paths. The research in this article explains how games can allow autistic children to utilize the important “theory of mind” ability.