Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson and published by Wizards of the Coast. This dynamic game encourages players to explore fantastic settings, flex their creative muscles and foster connections with others, regardless of whether they are sitting across a table or across the globe. In this volume, we will explore psychological concepts relating to the lore, gameplay, and culture of Dungeons & Dragons.
This book is part of The Psychgeist of Pop Culture collection published by ETC Press. This book series highlights iconic pop culture content from television, film, literature, and video games through an examination of the psychological mechanisms that endear us to these stories for a lifetime. You do not need to have a PhD, be a formally trained psychologist, or a published author to contribute. We particularly welcome contributions from underrepresented groups within game studies, psychology, and the D&D community.
Each chapter in this book will explore a psychological theme or concept related to Dungeons & Dragons. Several possible themes and topics are listed below, but this list is by no means exhaustive. Please feel free to develop a proposal based on a topic or a combination of topics below or suggest something entirely new! Creativity is encouraged.
Potential topics:
- Exploring Identity and Self-Expression Through Roleplaying
- Beyond the Character Sheet: Self-Expression and Exploration in Character Creation
- The Power of Narrative: Understanding Immersive Storytelling in D&D
- From Reluctant Allies to Fast Friends: Community Building Within D&D
- Friend or Foe? Social Dynamics Around the Table
- The Dungeon Master's Mind: Unraveling the Role of Control and Creativity
- The Loxodon in the Room: Race and Racism in the Forgotten Realms (potentially in collaboration with Nina)
- Origins of Evil: The Psychology Behind Villains and Antagonists
- Beyond Good and Evil: Morality, Ethics and Alignment in D&D
- Leveling Up in Real Life: The Impact of D&D on Personal Growth
- Escapism or Empowerment? The Impact of D&D on Mental Health
- From Fantasy to Reality: How D&D Impacts Real-World Behaviors and Relationships
- From Cabin Fever to Faerun: Surviving the Pandemic Through D&D
- Reality Check: Debunking Myths and Misinformation Surrounding D&D
- Queer Quests: Strategies for Supporting Queer Players and Creating Inclusive Spaces in D&D Communities
- Drama and Dice Rolls: Exploring Social Dynamics in Performative D&D Streams
- Dungeons & Dragons in the Media: From Niche Hobby to Pop Culture Phenomenon
If you are interested in contributing to this edited volume, please complete the following Google Form, which will close on JUNE 1 2024. The form will ask for your name, email address, working chapter title, abstract (max. 300 words), and to upload a copy of your CV. If your proposal is accepted, there will be opportunities to revise the title and abstract, but the overall theme will need to remain the same.
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