Evolutionary Psychology and Digital Games ― Digital Hunter-gatherers

This book employs an evolutionary psychology approach to games research in order to broaden our understanding of the appeal and effects of digital games. The vast majority of social science research on the reasons people play (specific) games has focused on proximal causes, such as emotional states or momentary motivations. An evolutionary psychology approach takes into account biological factors and their phylogenetic origins, shedding light on the basic mechanisms and roots of human experience and behavior as applied to digital games. More specifically, by using an evolutionary psychology approach this book moves toward uncovering why so many people are fascinated by digital games and why some play differently than others.

Johannes Breuer is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Media and Communication Psychology at the University of Cologne, Germany and at the Leibniz-Institut fur Wissensmedien (Knowledge Media Research Center) in Tubingen, Germany

Daniel Pietschmann is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Media Psychology at Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany

Benny Liebold is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Media Psychology at Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany

Benjamin P. Lange is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Media Psychology at the University of Wurzburg, Germany