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The Functions of Role-playing Games by Sarah Lynne Bowman

by hawke — last modified Jul 23, 2012 06:59 PM
How participants create community, solve problems, and explore identity.

This study takes an analytical approach to the world of role-playing games, providing a theoretical framework for understanding their psychological and sociological functions. Sometimes dismissed as escapist and potentially dangerous, role-playing actually encourages creativity, self-awareness, group cohesion and "out-of-the-box" thinking. The book also offers a detailed participant-observer ethnography on role-playing games, featuring insightful interviews with 19 participants of table-top, live action and virtual games.

Sarah Lynne Bowman is an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Dallas, Richland College, Ashford University, and Brookhaven College. Her current research focus emphasizes character development and social dynamics in role-playing games.

Published 2010.

ISBN 978-0-7864-4710-7

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=978-0-7864-4710-7&x=0&y=0

Hawke Robinson
Hawke Robinson says:
Jul 23, 2012 06:59 PM
Has a number of editorial issues, lots of typos and occasionally poor grammar. It reads as a collection of college-student essays. That being said, it has a wealth of useful information, references, and great quotes to draw upon. One of the more complete books I've read on the subject of role-playing games from a more psychological, therapeutic, and sociological perspectives.
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