Pop-Culture Couch
Welcome to "Pop-Culture Couch"! I'm Maegan, your host and fellow pop-culture enthusiast with a unique blend of expertise in behavioral psychology, data science, and UX research within the world of video games. With a deep passion for the brain, behavior, and breaking down big psychological concepts into bite-sized pieces, I’m here to help you unravel the psychological themes woven into our favorite movies, TV shows, and video games.
"Pop-Culture Couch" is all about breaking down complex psychological concepts into digestible, relatable insights using the lens of popular culture. Whether it’s analyzing the cognitive bias in your favorite superhero film, exploring theories of choice and consequence in narrative video games, or learning about attachment theory through hit TV series, this podcast is your go-to place for thoughtful and entertaining discussions.
Join me on the couch as we dive deep into the world of neuropsychology, one pop-culture reference at a time. Together, we’ll discover the amazing ways our brains interact with the stories and characters we love, making the complex world of psychology both fun and accessible.
Intro and Outro music was created for me by Han Htet of Han Solos.
Want to hear me wax poetic even MORE at psychological themes in our favorite media? Tune in to my other podcast, Clever Ghouls, where I dig into these topics through the lens of horror films specifically.
Pop-Culture Couch
Psychology of Choice & Consequence in Narrative Video Games
In this episode of "Pop-Culture Couch," I dive into the psychology of choice and consequence in narrative video games, using "Mass Effect 2," "Fallout: New Vegas," and "Cyberpunk 2077" as case studies. We'll explore how psychological theories such as Rational Choice Theory, Prospect Theory, and Cognitive Dissonance Theory are illustrated through the complex decision-making mechanics and moral dilemmas presented in these games.
By examining key moments and player choices, we reveal how these games engage players in meaningful decision-making processes that reflect real-world psychological principles. Join me on the couch as we uncover the deep psychological underpinnings of our favorite narrative-driven video games.
My intro/outro music and all sound fxs were created for me by Han Htet of Han Solos.