Games as a new tool /methodology in studying psychological characteristics

 van Reekum and Johnstone (2004) manipulated goal conduciveness (whether the
event was congruent with the desired goal or not) and intrinsic pleasantness
(subjective appraisals of emotional events) on physiological responses (cardiac
activity, skin conductance, skin temperature and muscle activity and emotion self-
report) while playing an action adventure game (Xquest).
 Goal conduciveness was associated with significant autonomic effects including
changes to interbeat interval, pulse transit time, skin conductance and finger
temperature while the manipulation of intrinsic pleasantness had little impact on
physiological responses.
 van Reekum and Johnstone view the computer game paradigm as an important
new tool or methodology to examine variables in emotion research.