IDRAC 2012 Presentation - 12:30 pm PDT, August 4, 2012
Richard Gilbert, Professor of Psychology at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA, is an expert in the psychology of virtual worlds. Author of two books (The Third Condition: A Memoir of Freud’s Return, and How We Change: Psychotherapy and the Process of Human Development), Gilbert leads the P.R.O.S.E. (Psychological Research on Synthetic Environments) team at Loyola Marymount.
Gilbert and his research team recently concluded a study in the virtual world Second Life. There they surveyed persons with disabilities twice, first shortly after they entered the virtual world, and again three months later. The questions the researchers asked related to psychological well-being and adjustment.
The research team concluded that there were identifiable psychological benefits to persons with disabilities of being part of a virtual world. Gilbert will share the background, methodology, and results of this research during his IDRAC 2012 presentation.
Wonderful presentation - and a lot of very useful information. Your report was incredibly moving and filled with rich detail and nuance!
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Gilbert's explanation of his research provided clear and significant data that will be useful in validating what so many participants in Second Life intuit: participation in a virtual world DOES make a real and sometimes profound difference in quality of life. Discussion with the audience was excellent and highlighted several additional areas for future exploration.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very interesting research indeed. People need to know how Second Life can aid in real life of individuals with disabilities. Don't let them be marginalized.
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