The Faculty of Psychology UGM and TVRI Yogyakarta are once again presenting OPSI: Obrolan Psikologi (Psychology Talks) with its tenth episode, airing on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM WIB. This episode carries the theme “Game Over: The Psychology Behind Video Games.” One of the goals of this episode is to explore in depth the psychological aspects of video games—when games can be beneficial and when they can turn into a dangerous boomerang.
Joining as the guest speaker in this episode is Edwin Gandawijaya, M.Psi., Psikolog, from the Psychological Consultation Unit UGM and a Mindful Gaming Practitioner. Edwin explained that games are not only associated with negative impacts but also have positive sides. The negative impact only arises when someone relies on games as their sole source of enjoyment. Dopamine, he added, does not come exclusively from gaming but also from a variety of other enjoyable activities.
“The negative effects of games on young children may occur because, at an early age, they have not yet developed good self-control. Children often find it difficult to limit their playtime, so without parental supervision, they risk becoming addicted or neglecting other important activities,” Edwin said.
Don’t miss other exciting episodes of OPSI: Obrolan Psikologi! Catch the re-runs and stay tuned for more insightful discussions on psychology through the Knowledge Channel of the Faculty of Psychology UGM: https://www.youtube.com/@psikologi.ugm1965
Note: Let us know if you would like to see a specific topic discussed in Obrolan Psikologi (OPSI), a collaboration between the Faculty of Psychology UGM and TVRI Yogyakarta.
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