This lecture by Sarah Lynne Bowman gives a theoretical introduction to transformative role-playing games (RPGs). It establishing definitions of transition and transformation in the context of role-playing games, as well as exploring conceptual models of change from conflict transformation and motivational interviewing. The lecture briefly examines learning theories of assimilation, accommodation, and transformation, as well as of the points of resistance people face with regard to change and learning, including cognitive dissonance and identity defense. It further discusses ritual and bleed as potential mechanisms for change, offering a theoretical model for envisioning role-playing communities as mutually supportive transformational containers.
Bio: Sarah Lynne Bowman, Ph.D. is a scholar, game designer, and event organizer. She is an Associate Professor for the Department of Game Design at Uppsala University Campus Gotland and the Coordinator for Peace & Conflict Studies at Austin Community College. McFarland Press published her dissertation as The Functions of Role-playing Games: How Participants Create Community, Solve Problems, and Explore Identity (2010). Bowman has edited for The Wyrd Con Companion Book (2012-2015), the International Journal of Role-playing (2016-), and Nordiclarp.org (2015-). She helped organize the Living Games Conference (2014, 2016, 2018) and Role-playing and Simulation in Education Conference (2016, 2018).