Ritterfeld, Prof. Dr. Ute (Center for Advanced Media Research Amsterdam (CAMeRA)

"Mechanisms and effects in health gaming"

Ute Ritterfeld, Professor for Media Psychology, received her education in the Health Sciences (Academy of Rehabilitation Heidelberg) and in Psychology (University of Heidelberg), completed her Ph.D. in Psychology (Tech. University in Berlin), and habilitated at the University of Magdeburg.

She was Assistant Professor at the University of Magdeburg, Adjunct Professor at the Universities of Berlin (Humboldt) and Hannover, and Associate Professor at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, Annenberg School for Communication.

At USC, Ritterfeld was directing an interdisciplinary research team devoted to the studies of digital games and hosted the inaugural academic conference on serious games. In 2007, Ritterfeld joined the faculty of Psychology and Education at the VU University Amsterdam and co-founded the Center for Advanced Media Studies Amsterdam (CAMeRA@VU) where she serves as director of interdisciplinary research. Ritterfeld co-edits the Journal of Media Psychology (Hogrefe) and is leading editor of Serious Games: Mechanisms and Effects, published by Routledge, Taylor and Francis in fall 2008.

Presentation:

An increasing number of serious games (currently ca 10% of all serious games) intend to change health related attitudes and behaviors. The implemented gaming principles, however, differ significantly. Whereas some games focus exclusively on behavioral outcomes (e.g, exergames), others emphasize knowledge acquisition and seek to change awareness and understanding of medical conditions (e.g., Re-Mission). This presentation is exemplifying the underlying mechanisms of health gaming and discusses their potential for sustained impact.

Contact

Prof. Dr. Ute Ritterfeld

Chair of Media Psychology, Department of Psychology and

Director for Interdisciplinary Research, Center for Advanced Media Research Amsterdam

(CAMeRA)

VU University Amsterdam

De Boelelaan 1081

NL 1081 HV Amsterdam