Understanding Emotions in The Sims 4
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Sims series, psychologist Dr. Audrey Tang explored how The Sims 4 effectively mirrors real-world emotions. Known for its comedic exaggerations, The Sims also embeds psychological principles that resonate with players.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Dr. Tang noted that The Sims 4 adheres closely to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. This psychological framework emphasizes the importance of fulfilling basic physiological needs before pursuing social and self-actualization goals. In the game, a sim cannot engage in enjoyable activities like music practice if they are extremely exhausted, reinforcing the idea of priority in fulfilling basic needs.
Real-Life Psychological Principles
Additionally, Dr. Tang highlighted that certain actions in the game, such as giving yourself a pep talk in the mirror, are backed by actual psychological research. This behavior primes the brain to spot positives throughout the day, boosting self-confidence. Moreover, the game acknowledges the complexity of grief, illustrating that while short-term comforts like food can help mitigate intense emotions, they cannot replace the lengthy mourning process experienced in reality.
Ultimately, Dr. Tang’s analysis reveals that while some elements of The Sims 4 may seem outlandish, they incorporate significant psychological insights that can resonate with players navigating real-life emotions.
