When we think about mental health, we often focus on stress, anxiety, depression, or burnout. Yet mental wellbeing is also about keeping the mind active, maintaining confidence in our abilities, enjoying meaningful social interaction, and finding activities that challenge us without overwhelming us.
While developing Snake & Ladder Quiz, I observed something interesting that reminded me how closely psychology, learning, and mental wellbeing are connected.
The game was originally designed with one educational objective: to encourage recall. In Bloom's Taxonomy, recall is the ability to retrieve previously learned information. Whether it is basic computer fundamentals, networking concepts, or cybersecurity knowledge, the goal was to create an enjoyable way for people to remember what they already know rather than simply memorizing new facts.
During one multiplayer session, I played against a friend. Initially, neither of us answered every question correctly. Some questions required us to pause and search our memory. As the game continued, something changed. Confidence began to grow. The answers came more naturally. Winning became more frequent—not simply because of knowledge, but because every round strengthened memory through repeated retrieval.
This experience reminded me of Flow Theory, developed by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Flow describes the state where a person's skills closely match the challenge before them. When a task is too easy, we become bored. When it is too difficult, we become frustrated. But when challenge and ability are balanced, we become deeply engaged. From a mental health perspective, activities that create flow can reduce boredom, improve concentration, and provide a healthy sense of accomplishment.
Another theory that came to mind was Self-Determination Theory, developed by Edward Deci and Richard Ryan. The theory suggests that people thrive when three basic psychological needs are met:
Competence — feeling capable and making progress.
Autonomy — freely choosing to participate.
Relatedness — connecting with other people.
As my friend became more confident in answering questions, I noticed an increasing sense of competence. Even after I left the game, the session continued as other players joined. Learning had become a shared social experience rather than an individual task. That social interaction may be just as valuable for mental wellbeing as the game itself.
There was another interesting observation. In Snake & Ladder, players never know when they will roll a double six for an extra turn or land on a ladder that advances them unexpectedly. That uncertainty creates excitement and anticipation. Behavioural psychologists describe this as variable reinforcement—the idea that unpredictable rewards can sustain engagement. Used responsibly, such mechanics can make learning enjoyable rather than repetitive.
Of course, any engagement strategy should always be designed ethically. The purpose should not be to keep people playing endlessly, but to create meaningful experiences that encourage learning, healthy interaction, and enjoyment.
As someone interested in Behaviour Signal Integrity (BSI), these observations also raise another question. When digital platforms analyse user behaviour, how can they distinguish genuine learning, confidence, and social connection from superficial engagement metrics? Longer sessions or frequent interactions do not always tell the whole story. Understanding the quality and authenticity of behavioural signals may become increasingly important as AI plays a larger role in education and digital health.
Games are often viewed simply as entertainment. Yet thoughtfully designed educational games may also stimulate memory, strengthen confidence, encourage social interaction, and support lifelong learning—all of which contribute to healthier cognitive wellbeing.
Perhaps one of the simplest ways to care for our minds is to keep learning, keep remembering, and keep connecting with others.
Comments
Post a Comment