“The game of chess is not merely an idle amusement. Several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired or strengthened by it, so as to become habits, ready on all occasions…we have learnt by chess that habit of not being discouraged by present bad appearances in the state of our affairs, the habit of hoping for a favorable change, and that of persevering in the search of our resources.”
–Benjamin Franklin, “The Morals of Chess”
With evidence of the initial creations of video games dating back to the early 1940s, it is fair to say the gaming world has evolved incredibly alongside the development of technology during the past 75 years. Without a doubt, mentioning some of the older video gaming inventions, such as the famous Atari, will bring back great memories to those in the older generations; parents and grandparents. Today, in the United States, 91% of children between ages 2 and 17 play video games. A nationally representative study of teenagers found that up to 99% of boys and 94% of girls play these games. With the progressing increase in video game production and development, video game sales in the US alone have more than doubled the total box office sales of both USA and Canada.
“Important research has already been conducted for decades on the negative effects of gaming, including addiction, depression, and aggression, and we are certainly not suggesting that this should be ignored. However, to understand the impact of video games on children’s and adolescents’ development, a more balanced perspective is needed,” proclaimed lead author Isabela Granic, PhD, of Radboud University Nijmegen in The Netherlands.
For decades, research on the negative effects of video gaming have been conducted on all levels and depths. With only this negative aspect being revealed and explained, parents have become convinced that video games are potentially harmful in relation to addiction, depression, and aggression. Of course these disadvantages do exist to some extent; however, the guaranteed cognitive, motivational, emotional, and social benefits surely outclass the limitations.
Cognitive Benefits
Based on research done by the American Psychological Association, playing video games, including violent shooter games, may boost children’s learning, health, and social skills. Contrary to typical beliefs that playing video games is intellectually lazy and sedating, it turns out that playing these games promotes a wide range of cognitive skills. This is particularly true for shooter video games (often called “action” games by researchers), most of which are violent in nature (e.g., Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto V). The required split-second decision making and acute attention to unpredictable changes in context, as well as the developed three-dimensional navigational spaces in these games, are likely the reasoning.
Convincing evidence of the teaching and application of these skills is derived from numerous training studies that have brought in various naïve gamers, ones who rarely play shooter video games. Each person was assigned a random shooter video game to play, all for the same period of time. Compared to control participants, those in the shooter video game condition showed faster and more accurate attention allocation, higher spatial resolution in visual processing, and enhanced mental rotation abilities. In simpler terms, during the tests these participants demonstrated increased ability to divide their attention efficiently, being able to block out any distractions or factors that are nonrelated or beneficial to their game. Moreover, higher awareness in spacing and distances was evolved, being an apparent benefit which is crucial for spatial tasks that take place outside the video game context and in the everyday lives of gamers. Lastly, the volunteers received better results in their mental rotation tests after playing shooter video games, than before. To clarify mental rotation, it is the ability to visualize two and three dimensional objects within the human mind and rotate it. Generally speaking, it is the visual representation of such rotation of the object.
A recently published meta-analysis concluded that the spatial skills improvements derived from playing shooter video games are comparable to the effects of formal (high school and university-level) courses aimed at enhancing these same skills. Further, this meta-analysis showed that spatial skills can be trained with video games very quickly, that these training benefits last over an extended period of time, and crucially, these skills transfer to other spatial tasks outside the video game context as well.
Motivational Benefits
Proceeding to the second most assured benefit of video games, game designers are wizards of engagement. They have mastered the art of pulling people of all ages into virtual environments, having them work toward meaningful goals, persevere in the face of multiple failures, and celebrate the rare moments of triumph after successfully completing challenging tasks. The characteristics implemented within video games promote an effective motivational style. This can be transferred and applied to the players outside of gaming contexts, as well as within. Known by all, and beautifully stated by former United States Secretary of State, Colin Powell, “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” By playing video games, this idea is efficiently taught to gamers.
Research conducted has shown and clarified the relation between the beliefs of individuals, and the expected outcome based on this fact. Using school as a relatable example, tasks and the endurance in these tasks strongly depend on the students’ beliefs on the role of effort in their learning. An individual’s self-confidence and belief in their own ability is an essential factor in this situation. If one believes that intelligence and ability is permanent, failure will induce feelings of worthlessness (applies to failure in video games). However, if intelligence or ability is presumed to be a result and indication of effortful engagement and determination, failure will signal the need to remain fully engaged, bolstering the individual’s efforts; it motivates. In turn, this positive attitude towards failure predicts better, improved academic performance.
Emotional Benefits
“A game is an opportunity to focus our energy, with relentless optimism, at something we’re good at (or getting better at) and enjoy. In other words, gameplay is the direct emotional opposite of depression.” –Jane McGonigal, ‘Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World’
Easily relatable by the current and future generations, video games are considered amongst the most favored activities and sources of entertainment, especially for children and adolescents. Exceptional time is spent playing these games, as reports show that the average young person in the UK would have spent 10,000 hours gaming by the age of twenty one. Moreover, one of the oldest and most reliable pieces of communications research has well-validated the theory that individuals’ top reason for using the diverse forms of media, among the other most time consuming activities practiced by individuals, is to manage and express their moods, as well as enhance their emotional states. During modern day gaming, energy and emotional expression, mainly positive, has shown to be a key factor to success in video games. The commonly used term to describe this, “hype”, is constantly evident by professional gamers, within groups of friends playing video games, as well as by solo individuals. However, of course, this excitement excretion does not apply to all, as it is completely dependent on the player’s personality. Once again crediting video game designers and creators, their mind-blowing intelligence and expertise regarding the specific details, factors, and necessities allow for their games to be as challenging, entertaining, and exciting as possible.
Furthermore, several studies have proven that gaming is among the most efficient and effective means by which children and youth generate positive feelings. Despite the fact that under accomplishment may also lead to frustration and disappointment, the pretend context of video games is real enough to make the accomplishment of goals matter, but also safe enough to practice controlling or modulating these negative emotions. In addition, playing simple video games; games with minimal interface, short term commitments, and quick and easy accessibility (mostly mobile games, e.g. Angry Birds), can improve the overall mood of the player. They promote relaxation, and eliminate anxiety through the entertainment provided.
Social Benefits
With the integration of online multiplayer video gaming services during the late 1990’s, early 2000’s, video games have become known for their pervasive social nature. Contrary to stereotypes, the average gamer is not a socially isolated, inept nerd who spends most of his (or her) time alone loafing on the couch. Nowadays, the majority of video games’ success revolves around their multiplayer game modes. Based on the Entertainment Software Association, over 70% of gamers play their games online with a friend, either cooperatively or competitively. Due to the immersive social contexts and communities, gamers rapidly learn more developed social skills and prosocial behaviors within video games. These skills can be extended and applied outside the gaming environment with peer, friend and family relations.
Continuing the previous point, important prosocial skills, behavior that benefits others, are acquired when playing games that are specifically designed to fully require effective cooperation, support, and helping others in order to succeed. This is regardless of the level of violence evident in the video game. Rutger Engles, professor in Developmental Psychopathology at Radboud University Nijmegen, states “Prosocial content lead to prosocial behavior”. Additionally, essential interaction skills learned from video games include communication and cooperation. Many games, such as Call of Duty, League of Legends, and World of Warcraft, involve tactician skills, anticipating situations, and teamwork. Efficient performance in regards to these factors is required to achieve success. Relating back to the motivational benefits of gaming, it is these skills that gamers are eager to practice and improve, to become the best possible players. This is in addition to the base skill of the specific game, of course. The ability to strategize successfully and outsmart the opponent in the different situations of the game are crucial. Since players may disagree on the “game plan”, video games result in the growth of leadership skills. Each individual’s ability to organize groups and lead like-minded people in social causes, civic engagement, is improved during play. This characteristic is displayed within the video game context, as well as through an individual’s engagement in civic movements in their everyday life (CAS activities, e.g. raising money for charity, volunteering)
Moreover, through playing video games online, gamers regularly meet other players from different cities and countries. This is due to the massive and impressive social gaming communities that exist for each video game. Being able to easily communicate with any of the millions of gamers allows for the establishment of new friendships, as well as collaboration within the video game being played. The similarity in personal interests and common goal of success makes it easy to get along with others.
“Players are gaming online, with friends, family, and complete strangers, crossing vast geographical distances and blurring not only cultural boundaries, but also age and generation gaps, socioeconomic differences, and language barriers.” –Isabela Granic, Adam Lobel, Rutger Engels; ‘The Benefits of Playing Video Games’
Conclusion
With modern day technology and development, video games have become socially interactive in a way never before possible. As previously stated, this certainly eliminates the stereotypes and beliefs of gamers being mostly introverts. Also, the underestimated impact of gaming on mental health has continued to motivate designers and developers, resulting in the increase in development of video games with these specific aims in mind. This motivational feeling is similar to the ones that drive the players themselves to become their best and achieve success within the games they play. In addition, the level of entertainment and fun received from playing video games is undeniably impressive. It is no accident that video games are one of the globally favored sources of entertainment.
Thanks to various worldwide studies, the large existence of gamers internationally has been confirmed. Being a major and common source of entertainment, much research has been completed in regards to the psychological effects of video gaming. However, solely a limited amount of benefits have been announced to a similar extent as the limitations. The benefits shared are overseen and ignored by parents, hence, their negative position. This needs to change. The negative effects of video gaming indeed have received remarkably more publicity. Moving forward, further direct and relatable research must be completed in order to increase media attention. Providing the public with a different perspective, a broader overall view of gaming, will without a doubt diminish the clearly exaggerated potential dangers known to all.
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