Another Study Suggests Video Games Are A Healthy Activity
from the again-and-again dept
While it's usually the studies about how video games are dangerous that score all the headlines, there have been just about an equal number of studies suggesting that there are benefits to video games as well. In the past, we've pointed to studies suggesting that video games can improve your health and visual skills. We've also seen studies suggesting that video games are good for kids in challenging them to think and can even be more intellectually stimulating than school. There are also studies suggesting that video games are good in the workplace, as they encourage brain stimulation during breaks and can also encourage teamwork. Related to that, are studies suggesting video games can help make people better strategic business thinkers or better stock traders.Jon writes in to point out the latest study which suggests that video games are good for people as they help give them a sense of achievement, fulfilling some "deep psychological needs." Of course, these studies pretty much come with as much bias as the studies suggesting video games are all bad. The fact is a game is a game -- it all depends on the person playing the game and how it's used. The fact that the researchers behind this latest study even admit that they were just trying to "normalize" the discussion could raise questions about how objective they were as well. It also raises some questions when they suggest that there have been no other studies showing benefits to video gaming, considering all the others ones we've linked to. The real point, though, is that video games alone are unlikely to be good or bad -- and any study claiming one or the other is probably got some problems.
Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Hasn't hurt me
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Hasn't hurt me
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Hasn't hurt me
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Hasn't hurt me
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Gamez knot bad @ all
As far as some being smarter. Depends on the game I guess. Mindless violance and virtual blood shed is usually just a way to unwind from a very stressfull week with friends and family you hold dear. I wouldn't say that it hurts anything other then a sex life in some cases *cough* WoW *cough*. It is a way to relax and enjoy life. Everyone has to have an output for stress relief. Everyone is different, Some do yoga, some hunt and kill things in real life, and some hunt and kill things virtually. Video games bad?.....naw...just desired.
Brought to you by iT LAN and it's admin DJ Twizted
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Gamez knot bad @ all
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
It's all about potential
Those kids that go on school shootings didn't do it just because they played a lot of Doom. More than likely they had other issues going on that drove them over the edge. But since most people more concerned with big headlines than trying to protect the children (I mean that in the real sense, not the political hot button isssue of the moment sense) they will continue to feed off this video game "problem" for as long as it continues to fetch headlines and votes.
Perhaps taking the time to listen to and pay attention to kids is too much to ask in a society that would rather try to come up with one blanket source (in this case its the video games) and work on it instead of trying to slowly, surely, and more accurately diagnose and solve them.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
GAMES ARE THE DEVIL!
While we rail against some of the best and most innovative games we're perfectly fine with cookie cutter sequel driven crap that we find completely fresh and fufilling, command and conquer 15 anyone?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: GAMES ARE THE DEVIL!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I have been playing video games since the early 80's. I am a college graduate, making more in a year than any other 26 year old I know, and still love to play whenever I get the chance. I have a beautiful (ex-NFL cheerleader) wife and play WOW as well. So instead of spouting your ignorant stereotypes about how YOU think a gamer lives you should understand that ALL types play of people play video games. Some games have NO educational or beneficial value while many games that seem worthless actually teach decent skills and values.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Anonymous Coward
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I disagree. Saying video games are neither good nor bad is tantamount to saying that video games really have no effect at all. I think a more accurate statement would be that video games are both good and bad. The "violence studies" and the "moter reflex studies" both make sense and probably have some truth to them.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
wha
I've lost may friends to that god damn game. It's like they started doing meth or something they never want to hang out or go do anything just play wow... I its like crack.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: wha
You have lost friends playing WoW? According to what you just said, you are implying that it's the games fault you lost friends. I don't see how you can blame a game, when it is the gamer that decides when to play. You are blaming World of Warcraft for being an extremely well created, well developed game thats damn fun to play, essentually. Don't blame gaming for your loss of friends. Blame yourself for not knowing when to quit.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Subjectivity
Furthermore, the gamer chooses the game. For instance, I have never felt the desire to play a FPS (First-Person Shooter) but I love building a character from scratch and trying to bring him (generic) to awesomeness. I would consider myself rather non-violent. On the other hand, my roommate loves First- and Third- Person Shooters and can be quite violent, especially when drunk. I choose the games I play because they look fun to me; he chooses the games he plays because they look fun to him.
Oftentimes the games one chooses to play reflect the gamer, rather than the games molding the gamer. This view only supports the idea that there are underlying issues if one acts on a game they've played. For some people, video games serve as a form of sublimation; for others, they're not enough to deter negative actions.
I am going to have to agree with Mike: video games are NOT good or bad. The action of learning from video games is good (ie, learning strategy and teamwork from raiding in WoW), while the action of extending a video game to real life is bad (ie, shooting someone "because of" Doom or GTA). Perhaps it's time to take a look at the people buying the games rather than the games themselves.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Subjectivity
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
In the world of MMORPG's, there contains a large degree of social interaction certainly not found by those kicking back on the sofa to the latest American Idol: A show which is coincidentally based on the making fun of the average person at their expense, tell me that doesn't have a negative impact on society as a whole. People who play games are viewed as anti-social beings, yet they're the MOST likely to have friends in other countries, time zones, and cultures. I actually have a friend that spent last summer on a large road trip around the USA who didn't spend a single night in a hotel, but rather stayed with friends he met online as he traveled.
Who's hurt by video games? No one. Gamers have something to do (whether you feel they're good or not, they're still entertaining). Politicians have something to blame. Parents have something to save them the troubles of teaching their children life lessons (he's not getting into trouble, why should I tell him about [insert moral lesson here]). Manufacturers are making money. Computer/Console makers have reasons to innovate and upgrade.
Personally, I think movies like "The Hitcher" are considerably more damaging to society than World of Warcraft. Let's ban R rated movies, anyone?
Like it's been said, it's the gamer that makes the experience good or bad. Viewer discretion is advised.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
To coward
There's no need to exaggarate or try to sound superior to the rest of us by saying you've been playing longer or your wife's hot (ex-NFL cheerleader? what happened? if you're 26 what age was she when she left?) - everyone here agrees with you anyway, inferiority complex aside.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Good brain exercise.
I believe there is no question that a game like this can improve hand-eye coordination and can rewire connections in the brain that haven't been used in a while. Brings you even closer to your grand children as well. ;)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: To coward
a decade consists of 10 years therefore when splitting a decade up into early, mid, and late he has approximately 3.3 years which we'll call 3 years and 4 months. however, he could very well be considering the early 80s to be the first half of the 80s which is also valid, early and late. since the minimal time you could logically consider early 80s is 1984 then he could have been as old as 5.
are you trying to tell me 5 is too young to play video games? oh that's right, you've apparently lost the ability to do simple arithmetic. that's too bad....
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: To coward
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
funny
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
iloveweiner
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: iloveweiner
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
vagina...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
hi
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
GOOD
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
games should go to hell
PS Jack thompson is the man
fools get off your lazy ass
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: games should go to hell
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: games should go to hell
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: games should go to hell
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: games should go to hell
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
games should go to hell
PS Jack thompson is the man
fools get off your lazy ass
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: games should go to hell
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: games should go to hell
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: games should go to hell
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I love games
Sincerely,
Q
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Que
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Que
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Que
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Fool
Sincerely,
Q
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Que
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Que
Physical activity is a means, not an end.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Que
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Que
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: Re: Que
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Que
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
anyone interested in banning games?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: anyone interested in banning games?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: anyone interested in banning games?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Violence just from gamers because of games?? idts
As stated before, start doing the research on the gamers. The gamer picks the game, so a violent person will naturally pick a violent game. Then all people like you see is that 'he plays violent games, therefore they made him violent.'
Think about how many people have and still do play videogames... and then lets figure out how many of them have committed a murder. That percentage is pretty low. But even then that number should technically be less because they already had the personality, and it just so happens that some of them have played games. It doesn't mean it's the games influence that made them kill.
I myself am an avid gamer. I love them. I've played them since I was four and I spend almost all of my free time playing them. I go to church and have many friends there, and I'm in college courses but I'm only a Junior. I truly consider myself a kind and benevolent person. I can't stand the thought of hurting anyone, physically OR emotionally. It's true my physical health isn't top notch, but I'm not the most unhealthy person ever.
My point is games do have both good and bad aspects, but so does any 'fun' activity. TV? We watch shows on murder and crimes that can give people ideas on how to do it themselves without getting caught, so they try it, and whether or not they get away with it, the crime was committed. Music? How much of music is violent songs against ex-bfs or ex-gfs? Families? Friends? Too much. Many might say that books are the least harmful of all the media, but even they can contain 'influencing' entertainment. Lies, sex, deceit, drugs, murder... it's all there.
It's true that games are the only entertainment media that you have to do the actions yourself, everything else you see/hear/read, but that's why the natural killers, the ones who kill people in the world, play games and not watch TV, not listen to as much music and don't read. It's so that they can DO something, so then when the study on the criminal is done they see that they played games and that's as far as people go in the investigation.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Z
Sincerely,
Q
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Have the lambs stoped screeming yet...
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Zach
Sincerely,
Q
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Games leading to agression is a joke.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Games leading to agression is a joke.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Games leading to agression is a joke.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Video Games Are Healthy
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Just Use Your Head
wow... you know whats really ironic about this? people who are good at making websites are often found in the same circles as gamers themselves...
There is certainly a place for gamers in society. In any given group of people, the ones that game are the ones I enjoy talking to. They're on average more intelligent, more thoughtful, and have MUCH more interesting things to say. Now this may or may not be BECAUSE of their gaming habits, and personally I think people who game are more intelligent before-hand and are drawn to games because of that.
WoW and Halo players are exceptions, however. I do not consider these people gamers any more than I consider people who use Myspace or Facebook technology-savvy, as every fool in any given frat house has these available to them.
Truly, a geek is worth ten jocks to me.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Jack Thompson
What now.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
wait wtf? In chicago in general? Yeah you sure wanna meet him. Dumbass
If someone you know really was killed by someone who you later unjustly assumed was a gamer, then sorry man, cause that sucks.
(but not as much as you suck Jack Thompson ever morning)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
I'm Back Bitches
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
sdfdsf
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Games Bad? Good?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Video Games Good or Bad.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Games are heaven.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
video games r fuhn
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
video games r fuhn
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
video games r fuhn
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
video games r fuhn
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
video games r fuhn
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
video games r fuhn
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
video games r fuhn
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
video games r fuhn
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
video games
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
video games
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
healthy
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Think of what else you could be doing!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Your dumb
[ link to this | view in chronology ]