The gap between those who can access and use digital technology and those who can't
Video games have been shown to enhance various cognitive skills, such as spatial awareness, problem-solving, and strategic planning. Depending on a video game’s design, it can have an effect on differing parts of the human brain.
Gamers often develop superior attention and concentration abilities compared to non-gamers, particularly when tracking multiple objects and managing complex tasks. Many games also require players to manage several tasks simultaneously, which improves their multitasking abilities.
Fast-paced games are known to improve hand-eye coordination, which can translate to better performance in activities requiring precise movements. Indeed, certain real-life jobs can benefit significantly from video games that train this coordination.
Certain games, particularly those involving complex storylines and environments, can enhance both short-term and long-term memory.
Video games often require quick thinking and decision-making under pressure, which are skills that can be beneficial in real-world situations.
Puzzle and strategy games can enhance problem-solving skills through complex and challenging tasks. Oftentimes, the effects are similar to those experienced with board games.
Aside from the long-term effects of video games on psychology, gaming also has the short-term benefit of being a great stress reliever. Gaming can provide a temporary escape for players, offering a form of relaxation through immersion.
By engaging with different scenarios in games, players can develop better emotional regulation and coping strategies. And beyond that, successful gaming experiences can even lead to a sense of achievement and improved mood.
Another effect that video games have on emotion is the development of empathy. Story-driven games with deep characters and narratives can enhance empathy by allowing players to experience different perspectives and understand diverse cultures or issues beyond those that they encounter in the real world.
Although the idea of video gamers tends to evoke the stereotypical mental image of lazy couch potatoes who live behind television screens, the reality is actually very different. Multiplayer games encourage social interaction, cooperation, and teamwork, which helps foster communication skills.
Creative games (such as those involving building or designing) can stimulate creativity and innovative thinking. This can also be seen in games that are created for children, with designs that try to actively stimulate creativity in early development.
Educational games can make learning more engaging and motivating, particularly for younger players. Many games have educational content that teach subjects like history, math, and science in an interesting way.
The Tetris effect (named after the popular video game) is a phenomenon where people who play repetitive games for extended periods begin to see shapes and patterns in their thoughts, dreams, and everyday visual perception outside of gameplay.
Aside from the great benefits that video games have to psychology, there are some negatives as well. Some research suggests that frequent gaming might influence risk-taking behavior, though findings are mixed.
Video games can be addictive and have the potential to interfere with daily life if players engage excessively with them. Some gaming consoles allow parents to limit the amount of time that their children spend playing games, which has proven to be useful for a balanced life.
For some people, excessive gaming can have a drastic impact on their daily functions, and so their lives begin to resemble the effects of substance usage. This is what is known as internet gaming disorder, which can include withdrawal symptoms when a player is not gaming and even using games as a constant form of escapism.
There is ongoing debate about whether violent video games contribute to aggressive behavior, but studies conducted so far have been inconclusive.
Scientists and psychologists have suggested that prolonged exposure to violent games might lead to desensitization to violence, though the extent and impact of this are still debated.
Playing video games, especially before bedtime, can disrupt sleep patterns and reduce sleep quality. Indeed, games have also been shown to contribute to insomnia and several other sleep disorders.
Excessive gaming might lead to social isolation if it replaces face-to-face interactions. Many gamers with social anxiety tend to find themselves far more willing to engage online than to interact with people in person. Although this has some partial benefits, players like this are at risk of further exacerbating their social anxiety.
There can be a negative impact on academic performance if gaming takes precedence over studying. This is especially true for players who do not engage with games that are cognitively stimulating.
Online interactions in gaming can sometimes lead to cyberbullying or negative social comparisons, which have increasingly negative effects on self-esteem. This issue is also circular, as players immerse themselves in gaming and avoid partaking in self-care that will help them feel confident about themselves and their image.
But there are still more positive things that can come from engaging with video games. Some games involve complex moral choices that can potentially enhance people’s ethical thinking and moral reasoning.
Players can develop strong (and oftentimes healthy) emotional attachments to characters and stories in games, enhancing their emotional experiences. This has the added benefit of helping them understand and control their emotions in the real world.
Video games are being increasingly used in therapeutic settings for mental health treatment, including PTSD and anxiety. The autonomy of video games encourages players to take control of a narrative and a character, which could reflect similar attributes in reality.
One of the most important allowances that games make is for players to explore different identities and roles, regardless of gender, age, or even species. This contributes strongly to self-discovery and personal growth.
Sources: (NIH) (Medical News Today) (Smore Science Magazine) (Charlie Health) (Joan Ganz Cooney Center)
Excessive gaming can lead to poor time management and neglect of responsibilities. Some studies have pointed out that this could be caused by the immersive effect that video games have, whereby players are unaware of the passing of time while gaming.
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In the United States alone, more than 150 million people play video games for at least three hours every week, while there are approximately 2.7 billion players worldwide. As the global population rises, mental disorders are also increasing, and people are turning to the comforts of video games to find escape. In fact, studies have shown that video games have the potential to mitigate symptoms of mental illnesses, especially depression and anxiety. But how do video games really affect our minds? What are the positive and negative outcomes to consider? Click through this gallery to find out.