A new study has been published which makes the case that the content, dynamics, and mechanics of the type of video game one is playing can lead to varying levels of effect on the individual’s cognitive functioning.
Of all the different types of game out there, ranging from “brain games” to those designed simply for the purpose of entertainment, action video games have proven to lead to the most positive effects on the brain.
“The term video games refers to thousands of quite disparate types of experiences, anything from simple computerized card games to richly detailed and realistic fantasy worlds, from a purely solitary activity to an activity including hundreds of others, etc. A useful analogy is to the term food — one would never ask, 'What is the effect of eating food on the body?' Instead, it is understood that the effects of a given type of food depend on the composition of the food such as the number of calories; the percentage of protein, fat, and carbohydrates; the vitamin and mineral content; and so on,” the researchers wrote.
Specific to the group’s conclusion, it was discovered that action video games — that is, games featuring quick moving targets that appear in and out of view, include large amounts of clutter, and require the gamer to make rapid, accurate decisions — have a particularly positive cognitive impact on the individual playing the game; this proved especially true when compared to “brain games” which are advertised as having been specially designed to improve cognitive function.
“Action video games have been linked to improving attention skills, brain processing, and cognitive functions including low-level vision through high-level cognitive abilities. Many other types of games do not produce an equivalent impact on perception and cognition,” the researchers noted. “Brain games typically embody few of the qualities of the commercial video games linked with cognitive improvement.”
The team added that while action video games have not been directly linked to problems with sustaining attention, the overall amount of time that an individual plays a video game more clearly predicts poorer attention in real world learning environments like a classroom.
Additionally, video games impact other aspects of the gamer’s behavior, including social functions. The tea, determined that the impact can be either positive or negative, the result of which generally depends on the content of the game itself.
“Modern video games have evolved into sophisticated experiences that instantiate many principles known by psychologists, neuroscientists, and educators to be fundamental to altering behavior, producing learning, and promoting brain plasticity. Video games, by their very nature, involve predominately active forms of learning (i.e., making responses and receiving immediate informative feedback), which is typically more effective than passive learning.”
Learn more by reading the full article, “The Impacts of Video Games on Cognition (and How the Government Can Guide the Industry)” in the new issue of Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences .
Via EurekAlerts
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