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Rajan Patel Instructor: Malcolm Campbell English 1102 September 25, 2013

Fast Draft of The Psychological Benefits of Video Games

I believe that playing video games is quite beneficial. This is only a belief though, not a statement proving that video games are beneficial. The question that needs to be asked to begin finding proof that video games are beneficial is: what are the psychological benefits of video games? This question can start the inquire process to finding evidence that playing video games is psychologically beneficial for a person. Starting the inquire process will set everything in motion for discovering the psychological benefits of playing video games. There needs to be a chance to find the benefits instead of always looking for the negatives of playing video games. I know playing video games has its negativity; however I want to argue for the positive psychological effects. The argument may commence beginning with the first evidence. Games can have a positive impact, particularly with psychological functions, according to Jason Allaire of North Carolina State Universitys Gains Through Gaming Lab. A recent study conducted by Allaire demonstrated that seniors who play video games displayed greater emotional stability than non-gamers. This study may not lead to cause and effect relationship, nevertheless Allaire finds confidence that this research will eventually uncover that kind of relationship. This information is compelling way to start off my argument. Jason Allaires information on the topic is quite thought provoking. Allaire appears to feel strongly about finding benefits of video games. Northeastern University professor Magy Seif el-Nasr feels the

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same way. Some games can promote a lot of thinking, this kind of problem solving promotes better cognition and better memory over time, according to Seif el-Nasr. Hes been working on research on the effects of video games. A University of Wisconsin learning sciences professor, James Gee and other researchers are actually implying that video games can be mentally stimulating. This is based on results from laboratory experiments, which allowed Gee and the researchers to realize that playing video games have cognitive benefits such as pattern recognition, system thinking, and patience. Playing video games can be exercise for the brain. Gaming requires a great deal of thinking like focusing in the game, having patience, ability to delay gratification, and using resources wisely. Different games require different skills. For example the game The Sims requires managing skills to control all in the characters in a household and the aspects of their lives. The game Grand Theft Auto may be notoriously known for its violence, but this game requires learning to use characters, utilizing clues, and identifying patterns. The way gamers explore video game worlds is similar to the way the brain processes, utilizes, and organizing vast information in real life. This shows a true significance towards how video games can be beneficial. Games provide steady advancements based on the players skill unlike other forms of entertainment like books and movies. The information beginning with involving James Gee is quite significant, since this information is from 2005. More and more university research is demonstrating that gaming improves perception, decision-making, and creativity. There are many specific benefits including, hand-eye coordination in surgeons and improved vision that helps when nighttime driving ability. Based on a study, playing action based video games can enable decision-making to be 25% faster. Moreover, practiced game players can pay attention to more than six things at once without getting confused, compared with the four that someone can normally keep in mind. This is

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based on what Wall Street Journal writer Robert Lee Hotz gained from University of Rochester researchers. Theres also studies focusing on the negatives of gaming, for example Indiana University researchers reported that brain scans showed that violent video games caused healthy young men to have decreased activity in regions of the brain associated with emotional stability. Other studies found that excessive gaming associates with being overweight, introverted, and predisposed to depression. Even though these studies mentioned dramatic negatives of video games, they never touched upon the positives. Well, that was touching upon negatives of video, now back on to the positives. Parents may worry about the violent action games; however these games benefited the brain the most. The violent action games can stimulate The way video games affect the mind is similar to the way learning to read, playing the piano, or navigating through a city. Games combine the great potency of concentration and with the stimulating rush of neurotransmitters like dopamine to neural circuits. This is the same way physical exercise builds muscles. In a three year study of 491 middle school children, the participants who played more video games performed better on a standardized test of creativity. The test used was the Torrance Test of Creativity, whic h involves tasks such as drawing an interesting and exciting picture from a curved shape on a sheet of paper, then creating a title for the picture, and making a story for the picture. Utilizing technology in forms like using cellphones, surfing the internet, or operating computers doesnt affect creativity like video games do. Well it appears that video games are quite beneficial and this argument contains all the evidence and information to provide the foundation for this claim. In this world where critics have backlash towards video games, its reassuring theres researchers advocating for the benefits of video games. Playing video games may have its drawbacks, but playing games does have many beneficial features. Playing video games is more beneficial than one might think.