Thursday, February 10, 2011

Psychology

So I'm sitting here this evening in my psychology 210 class. I'm a psychology major, and I'm realizing how much psychology really can apply to Magic: The Gathering.

I think back to when I'm in a tough situation, and complex math saves me. But sometimes, my saving grace is more the sheer look of terror on my opponents face when I make a great play. I know he's beat. I know that he has no answers in his hand to what massive bomb I just dropped all over the playing field.

I think it's so subconscious and complex to think that your choices in a trading card game are based on facial expressions and sounds, movements, pauses and other simple human motions. Understanding these clues are key for a great player.

Tomorrow night I will employ these tactics and post back with what I noticed and what really happens. :)
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32 comments:

  1. The Timely RegentFebruary 10, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    Isn't that all psychology is? Observance of human behaviour?

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  2. amendsFebruary 10, 2011 at 2:20 PM

    No way man! Psychology is huge. It's the study of the brain, human behavior, the human mind. Consciousness. It's just used as a tool to predict actions and draw conclusions scientifically, which is how I was using it.

    Thanks for the comment, following back ;)

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  3. BerateFebruary 10, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    I've been playing Halo for some time now and I can understand how psychology has almost everything to do with the game. You have no advantage over the other team besides your tactitionship!

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  4. amendsFebruary 10, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Exactly. Talking trash and seeming arrogant makes them play bad. It's a great tool to impair your enemies. :)

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  5. CarlFebruary 10, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    Hm. I never really thought about the psycological aspect of a game like Magic.

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  6. GweeboFebruary 10, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    Yes, there is a lot more to card games than the cards, that's for sure. I haven't played Magic since Invasion was the new set. So tempting to jump back in, seeing this blog...

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  7. KazarakFebruary 10, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    I think the choice of color that one prefers and plays best with can say a lot about them. My favorite has always been black/blue, I am a malevolent thinker.

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  8. Steve FreelingFebruary 10, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    That's an interesting way to look at it lol

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  9. SamFebruary 10, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    My friend wrote "fuck" on every page of his psychology exam and still got marks for it.

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  10. GiulzzFebruary 10, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Haha, this seems very interesting - have a few friends interested in studying psychology. Let us know how it all goes! Thanks, Giulzz.

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  11. AesopFebruary 10, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    Great read, almost make me want to go dig up my old magic decks :)

    It's been so many years... Isn't there a way to play online now?

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  12. GarryFebruary 10, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    Interesting stuff!.I look forward to reading your blog in the future.

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  13. amendsFebruary 10, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    Yeah, you can play online with an actual Wizards client with sanctioned legit tournaments, or download a program and play over LAN/TCP. I'll have to blog about it in the future!

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  14. ErgoFebruary 10, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    Lawl.... found this comical. One of my best friends in like 8th grade was ranked like 10th in the world for magic.

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  15. amendsFebruary 10, 2011 at 4:20 PM

    I believe you. Some of the best players are young. But most are in their 20's actually. It's not a game just for the young though. All of the designers are generally a bit older.

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  16. seanFebruary 10, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    I played magic a year ago but i wasn't very good

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  17. BrendanFebruary 10, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    Psychology is so interesting. It can be used for alot of face to face games aswell.

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  18. Game ReviewerFebruary 10, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    I'm a big fan of psychology, hope to hear more about it.

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  19. JorgeFebruary 10, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    I love Psych. I'm currently taking it in high school. It took me until my senior year to finally get in it.

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  20. PimpGangsterMedleyFebruary 10, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    Very interested in your results. Former MTG player + long time armchair psychologist

    Followed and all that stuff, add me back plz:
    http://pimpgangstermedley.blogspot.com/

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  21. amendsFebruary 10, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    For sure man. I'll post them as I go tomorrow, along with some pictures from the event :)

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  22. LittleGiantBombFebruary 10, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    Psychology is very interesting to me, looking forward for more content.

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  23. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    let us know how it goes man!! great stuff

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  24. psizzlerFebruary 10, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    ahahaha nice dude

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  25. Johnny DramaFebruary 10, 2011 at 5:37 PM

    Haha cool idea, seems interesting.

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  26. Mr. RogersFebruary 10, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    im excited to hear some of your adventures in MTG. Every friday at my school theres a club called gamers the gathering where we play mtg.

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  27. About time!February 10, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    MTG brought me and my brother so close man, I remeber ebaying for all my favorite cards, followed just for nostagli

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  28. RamsayFebruary 10, 2011 at 6:54 PM

    I agree completely with this and even further one can apply psychology to almost anything. For instance I'm a fan of UFC, and everyone always says the game is half in your head.

    Its not about the cards you have, its how you play them

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  29. ScottDFebruary 10, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    just like poker!

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  30. lloyd redgraveFebruary 10, 2011 at 7:02 PM

    Phycology and maniupulation matters in any and every game you play lol

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  31. fadedline17February 10, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    I'm excited to see what you can pull off. :P I haven't played MTG in so long.

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  32. AnonymousFebruary 11, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    Psychology is at the root of most, if not all games surely!

    A master of psychology could turn any game they understood to their advantage.

    Poker is the classic example I suppose.

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