School of Psychology staff

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  • Auckland campus 64 9 414 0800
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Mr Shaun Garea staff profile picture

Contact details +6469517974

Shaun Garea MSc

Lecturer in Psychology

School of Psychology

Professional

Qualifications

  • Master of Science - Massey University (2019)

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Media Psychology

Cyberpsychology

Learning by playing

Video games

Loot Boxes

Table-top role playing games

Gambling

Cooperation

Aggression 

Quantitative Research

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Cognitive Sciences (170200): Psychology And Cognitive Sciences (170000)

Keywords

Lab Director/Manager at the Gaming Research and Investigation Laboratory (GRAIL)

Research Outputs

Journal

Garea, SS., Sauer, JD., Hall, LC., Williams, MN., & Drummond, A. (2023). The potential relationship between loot box spending, problem gambling, and obsessive-compulsive gamers. Journal of Behavioral Addictions. 12(3), 733-743
[Journal article]Authored by: Garea, S., Williams, M.
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Garea, SS., Drummond, A., Sauer, JD., Hall, LC., & Williams, MN. (2021). Meta-analysis of the relationship between problem gambling, excessive gaming and loot box spending. International Gambling Studies. 21(3), 460-479
[Journal article]Authored by: Garea, S., Williams, M.
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Book

Drummond, A., Sauer, JD., & Garea, SS. (2018). The infamous relationship between violent video game use and aggression: Uncharted moderators and small effects make it a far cry from certain. In Video Game Influences on Aggression Cognition and Attention. (pp. 23 - 40).
[Chapter]Authored by: Garea, S.
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Thesis

Garea, SS. (2020). Playing and working together: can video games increase real world cooperation?: presented to the Faculty of the Department of Psychology, Massey University, New Zealand in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology. (Master's Thesis, The Faculty of the department of Psychology, Massey University)
[Masters Thesis]Authored by: Garea, S.
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Conference

Garea, S. (2025, September). Table-Top Roleplaying Games: Design, Psychology, and working together. Presented at New Zealand Game Developers Conference (NZGDC). Takina Events Center, Wellington.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Garea, S.
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Garea, S. (2024, July). Meta-Analytic Relationship Between Problem Gambling, Excessive Gaming, and Loot Box Spending. Presented at International Gambling Conference (IGC). Auckland University of Technology (Auckland. Aotearoa/NZ).
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Garea, S.
Garea, S. (2024, July). Loot Boxes in Videogames: Disproportionate Spending Associated with Problem Gambling and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptomatology. Presented at International Gambling Conference (IGC). Auckland University of Technology (Auckland, Aotearoa/NZ).
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Garea, S.
Garea, S. (2024, July). More Tools for the Garden Shed: Tabletop-Roleplaying Games, Psychology, and Learning. Presented at Play by Play: A Different Type of Games Conference. Te Papa Museum (Soundings Theatre), Wellington - Aotearoa/NZ.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Garea, S.
Garea, S. (2021, July). Relationships between Problem Gambling, Excessive Gaming and Loot Box Purchasing. Presented at SARMAC. Virtual.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Garea, S.

Other

Garea, S. (2025, September). GRAIL Update and Preliminary Data from our National Gaming Survey. Presented at Distinction Convention Center, Hamilton, Aotearoa/New Zealand.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Garea, S.
Garea, S. (2025, June). Orbit Talk: TTRPG's and Psychology. Presented at Takina Events Center. : Wellycon 2025.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Garea, S.
Garea, S. (2023, September). Role Playing Games and Psychology. In Waikato Role Playing Guild/Convention Attendees. Presented at Distinction Conference Center, Hamilton, NZ. : Convergence (Convention).
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Garea, S.

Media and Links

Media

  • 30 Jul 2023 - Newspaper
    Stuff - Gaming lab to open at Massey University
    Feature on the opening of the GRAIL gaming lab.
  • 28 Sep 2023 - Radio, Online
    Podcast Episode: Tabletop Games and Psychology
    Podcast episode of 'Inquiry with Martin' (long-form interview)
  • 13 Jul 2024 - Radio, Online
    RNZ: The Detail (Podcast) - 'Fifty Years of D&D'
  • 03 Aug 2023 - Radio, Online
    RNZ - "Gaming lab" opens at Massey University
    Interview with Jesse Mulligan
  • 02 Aug 2023 - Radio
    MPR - Interview (GRAIL lab and mental health)
    Morning show interview about gaming and mental health
  • view more...
  • 02 Aug 2023 - Radio, Online
    RNZ - Mental health benefits of board games
    Audio Interview and text-article covering gaming and mental health
  • view less...

Other Links

Professor Emeritus
Prof Ian M Evans

Honorary Teaching and Research Fellow
Dr Ross Flett

Honorary Research Fellow
Dr Amanda Young-Hauser

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Last updated on Tuesday 15 July 2025