Adaptive game for reducing aggressive behavior

Abstract

Peer influence in social networks has long been recognized as one of the key factors in many of the social health issues that affect young people. In order to study peer networks, scientists have relied on the use of self-report surveys that impose limitations on the types of issues than can be studied. On the other hand, the ever increasing use of computers for communication has given rise to new ways of studying group dynamics and, even more importantly, it has enabled a new way to affect those dynamics as they are detected. Our work is focused on designing and analyzing computer social games that can be used as data collection tools for social interactions, and that can also react and change accordingly in order to promote prosocial, rather than aggressive, behavior.