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Various mental health issues, as well as physical health consequences like obesity and repetitive strain injuries, have been the highlights. Because of these claims and allegations, many studies have been conducted over time to test these theories.
Most of these theories have been proven to be false. Many positives of gaming have been brought to light. Although video games aren’t seen in as much of a negative light as they were before, we still have a long way to go.
I have talked about the advantages of gaming before, and I keep discussing it from time to time. I participate in debates based on gaming, and it’s effects – with time, I have learned to direct people to research papers to show them that are many benefits of playing video games.
An article on the American Psychological Association talked about their research on gaming and its effects.
They said – “While one widely held view maintains playing video games is intellectually lazy, such play actually may strengthen a range of cognitive skills such as spatial navigation, reasoning, memory, and perception, according to several studies reviewed in the article. This is particularly true for shooter video games that are often violent, the authors said.
A 2013 meta-analysis found that playing shooter video games improved a player’s capacity to think about objects in three dimensions, just as well as academic courses to enhance these same skills, according to the study. “This has critical implications for education and career development, as previous research has established the power of spatial skills for achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” Granic said. This enhanced thinking was not found with playing other types of video games, such as puzzles or role-playing games.”
Better hand-eye coordination, better problem-solving skills, better team playing ability, reduced stress, vivid imagination, etc. are some of the commonly accepted positives of gaming. Whenever you find a discussion on gaming, along with the negatives, you will have someone chiming in these positives as well.
When you think about it, video games are fun while they are also stimulating. This makes it easier to hold one’s undivided attention for a longer span of time. The excitement that the levels and challenges provide make it easier for our brains to grasp new concepts than when the same ideas are taught in a formal education setting. Our perception, attention, and cognition are massaged and, in turn, improved because of the enhanced learning that the regularity and structure of environments that the games provide.
Final Thoughts
Like every habit, if done in excess, gaming is bound to have an adverse effect. The hardcore gamers are more susceptible to the negative effects than people who dedicate only a moderate amount of time. The positives, however, can be picked up from a few hours of gaming. So, regulate the amount you spend playing to reap the benefits but don’t become fodder to the stigma about the negative effects of gaming.
