Video games have long been viewed as doing nothing positive for people who play them, especially children and teenagers. Many claim video games are expensive, time consuming, and often violent. Parents worry that kids spend too much time playing video games, and it’s commonly believed that video games make children lazy, keep them from having a social life, and inspire them to become violent. Video games occupy the role of scapegoat for many of the problems of our youth and society. Research into the effects video games have on players, however, has revealed that they actually can do a surprising amount of good.
Using a video game controller can improve dexterity, according to research conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA). Studies done on surgeons revealed that those who have been video game players work faster and make fewer errors than surgeons who have never played video games.
Psychologists have also studied video gamers’ cognitive skills. In a study conducted at New York’s Fordham University, children were given a video game and asked to think out loud as they played. Researchers observed that the children used problem-solving and reasoning skills to accomplish goals in the game, and that the youngest children in the study appeared to be more interested in learning how to accomplish goals than in the physical action of playing the game.
The commonly held belief that spending time playing video games leads to isolation and lack of socialization may actually be the opposite of the truth. Many video games today involve a social experience: Connecting to other players through the Internet. Games without this direct social element can still be shared by players when they’re not playing. Finding out that the person you’ve just met shares a common interest in a video game opens up a door for conversation. This is particularly beneficial to children, teens or adults who are inclined to be shy.
People with medical challenges, from autistic children to adults who have suffered a stroke, can benefit from playing video games. Video games are often used as a therapeutic tool, as they have been proven to improve social skills and self-esteem.
Video games can also inspire creativity. Writers, painters and musicians have found video games to be a source of inspiration and of material. The fictional worlds of video games are often vast and populated with interesting characters, which can serve as a springboard for creative projects.
From the list of positive things video game playing can do, most people could find something that they can relate to. If you work with your hands, picking up a video game controller may help your dexterity. If you’re looking for a new social outlet, you can connect to an online game and share the experience with other players. Research continues on the effects of video games, and as games become more complex due to technological advancement, there’s little doubt that problem-solving, dexterity, and social skills will continue to be challenged and honed by gaming. Thus, if you would like to play game, play it professionally.
Author Box: The author is a guest writer at mmobux.com providing game related news and examining the game currency market. In addition to observing game trends, the author runs his very own gaming website.
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