Recent research suggests that our enjoyment of board and card games goes far beyond simple nostalgia or a way to pass the time. This interest often reflects deeper personality traits, established social behaviours, and even long-term patterns connected to brain health that can remain relevant well into later life.
What a Passion for Board Games Can Reveal
The research behind this discussion comes from a study conducted at the University of Plymouth, alongside findings published on PubMed examining game-based activities and mental wellbeing. Together, these studies paint a surprisingly consistent picture of adults who regularly return to board games.
Frequent players often display strong self-confidence, greater cognitive resilience, and a clear preference for social interaction. While no two players are identical, researchers observing large groups notice several traits that appear again and again.
- Greater trust in personal decision-making
- Comfort speaking up in group settings
- Stronger social bonds and sense of belonging
- Regular engagement of memory and strategic thinking
Confidence: Why Games Appeal to Self-Assured Minds
Every board game is built around constant choices: which card to play, when to take a risk, or how to negotiate with others. People who enjoy these repeated decisions often feel more comfortable trusting their judgement away from the table too.
Research highlighted on PubMed links regular participation in structured games with higher life satisfaction. One reason is psychological: games let players make decisions, see immediate outcomes, and learn that mistakes are rarely permanent.
Games create a safe environment for failure. You can lose, reset the board, and try again without real-world consequences. Over time, this reinforces confidence, adaptability, and resilience under uncertainty.
Self-Assertion: The Subtle Strength of Taking a Turn
Another notable characteristic among board game enthusiasts is self-assertion. Even simple games require players to state their moves clearly and accept reactions from others. Saying “this is my move” in front of a group builds comfort with expressing decisions.
Repeated exposure to these moments helps players grow used to defending choices, handling disagreement, and standing by a position without conflict escalating beyond the game.
How Games Encourage Speaking Up
Many popular games actively reward confident participation and communication:
- Negotiation games like Catan or Diplomacy promote bargaining and open disagreement.
- Social deduction games such as Werewolf or Among Us require accusation, justification, and bluffing within clear rules.
- Cooperative games like Pandemic encourage quieter players to share ideas for group success.
For those who struggle with assertiveness in daily life, games can act as low-pressure practice. They help people get used to hearing their own voice, setting limits, and responding to pushback.
In this way, games become a rehearsal space for real conversations, allowing argument and compromise without serious personal risk.
Social Connection: Cardboard as Social Glue
A defining trait among board game fans is a strong desire for shared experiences. Bringing out a game during family gatherings or friendly meetups helps create memories and draws people together who might otherwise stay distracted by screens.
The Plymouth-based research highlights that, especially for older adults, regular group play supports social engagement and psychosocial wellbeing. In simple terms, games keep people connected, talking, and involved.
Why Group Play Supports Mental Health
Loneliness is a known risk factor for depression and physical health issues. Board games offer a structured reason to meet that does not rely on alcohol, sports, or intense conversation. The rules provide a shared focus, which can be especially helpful for those uncomfortable with unstructured socialising.
Often, the ritual matters as much as the game itself: the familiar box, recurring jokes, and ongoing debates over rules.
Researchers note that shared goals, such as beating the game or outscoring another team, tend to increase active participation compared to free-form conversation.
Cognitive Benefits: Exercising the Brain Without Realising It
Beyond personality traits, studies also highlight a common habit among board game enthusiasts: they regularly challenge their brains without consciously trying to. Strategy, memory, focus, and planning are all constantly engaged during play.
- Working memory through remembering cards and previous moves
- Executive function by planning several turns ahead
- Social cognition when reading other players’ intentions
- Cognitive flexibility by adapting to rule changes or unexpected events
PubMed reviews suggest that, particularly in older adults, this kind of mental activity may help maintain cognitive health and even assist in spotting early signs of decline. Difficulty following familiar rules or simple strategies can act as an early warning signal.
What Researchers Mean by “Board Games”
In research, the term board games covers a broad range of activities. This includes classic games like chess and Scrabble, modern strategy titles, card games such as Uno or bridge, and cooperative, story-driven experiences.
Different categories often attract different personalities. Abstract strategy games appeal to those who enjoy patience and structured thinking. Party games tend to draw more expressive, outgoing players. Cooperative games often suit people who value teamwork over individual victory.
Two Players, Two Approaches
Imagine two friends attending a weekly game night. One prefers complex strategy games, carefully learning rules and planning several moves ahead. The other chooses lively party games, focusing on humour and energy rather than winning.
Both fit the wider profile of board game enthusiasts: socially engaged, comfortable participating, and motivated by shared experiences. Their preferences simply highlight different personality traits, analytical on one side and expressive on the other.
Using These Insights in Everyday Life
Understanding how games connect to personality can be useful in practical settings. Parents may select cooperative games to help a shy child practise speaking up in a relaxed environment. Managers can use light strategy games in training to observe how teams communicate and respond to setbacks.
For older adults, regular game sessions in community centres or care homes can provide both a social anchor and an informal way to monitor cognitive changes. Sudden difficulty with familiar games may signal the need for medical attention rather than being dismissed as normal ageing.
