Adrienne Lafond, a master’s student at Florida Tech studying applied behavior analysis, presented two projects at the online Esports Research Network Conference in November, the annual digital gathering of researchers, practitioners and coaches dedicated to advancing evidence-based practices in competitive gaming.
Her presentations reflected the core of the work she and others have been developing with the Esports Behavioral Performance Coaching (BPC) program in the School of Behavior Analysis.
“Enhancing In-Game Communication in Collegiate Esports: A Behavior-Analytic Intervention Using Discriminative Cues,” featured Lafond’s research on using behavioral tools, such as discriminative cues and behavioral skills training, to increase productive communication among collegiate athletes playing the game Valorant, a five-vs-five tactical first-person shooter. The findings showed immediate and meaningful improvements in team communication systems, demonstrating how behavior science can strengthen coordinated play in fast-paced environments.
Her second presentation, co-presented with ABA master’s student Savannah Wilson, was, “Behavioral Performance Coaching: Advancing Collegiate Esports Through Behavior.” This presentation highlighted the broader BPC model, including communication training, Acceptance and Commitment Training-based performance support, organizational systems design and collaborative work with coaches.
“Bringing behavior analysis into competitive gaming has continued to show me just how much untapped potential exists in collegiate esports,” Lafond said. “Our players work incredibly hard and building systems that support them as competitors and as people is the heart of what we do.”
The BPC program is a branch of assistant professor Kaitlynn Gokey’s EEEK Lab designed to discover, connect and build relationships between Florida Tech’s behavior analysis and esports communities.
“We’re all scientists and gamers here, and it has been a blast being able to give back to the community and advance science by bringing together our passions,” she said.
